Everton could allow Jarrad Branthwaite to leave the club this summer, according to a report from The Daily Mail (print edition 05/06, p150), via Lancs Live.Â
The lowdown: Top-flight taster
After spending time on loan at Blackburn Rovers during 2020/21, the young defender was kept on Merseyside last season after undergoing ankle surgery.
A frequent presence on the bench under Rafael Benitez, the 19-year-old centre-back played 90 minutes and scored a crucial goal in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea in December.
Following a flurry of injury and suspension issues towards the end of the campaign, the Carlisle-born starlet ended the season firmly in Frank Lampard’s plans.
The latest: Branthwaite exit looming
As per The Daily Mail (via Lancs Live), despite a strong end to 2021/22, Everton want to send Branthwaite out on loan again this summer.
The Toffees are believed to be keen for the England under-20 ace obtain more regular first-team action and could be willing to sanction a temporary exit for him in the near future.
Under contract at Goodison Park until 2025 (Transfermarkt), the youngster – who was hailed for a ‘terrific’ display for the Toffees’ under-23s by assistant manager John Ebbrell in pre-season – remains part of the long-term planning at the club.
The verdict: Smart move
The Everton defence was far from rock-solid throughout 2021/22, conceding 66 times in just 38 Premier League matches (more than relegated Burnley). However, with the potential signing of James Tarkowski to add to Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate, it could be another watching brief for Branthwaite for the most part if he were to remain at Goodison Park.
Therefore, sending the towering 6 foot 5 colossus out on loan, either to a top-end Championship club or a potential top-flight suitor abroad, would make plenty of sense from a development perspective, whilst also avoiding the prospect of any permanent bids from reported suitors Manchester United.
Having only made 37 senior career outings to date, a season of exposure to top-quality strikers and the rigours of regular first-team football will be a valuable learning curve for Branthwaite which should see the youngster return to Everton as an improved defender, so a loan exit could be highly beneficial.
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