Everton

Everton: Podcast pundit discusses Jarrad Branthwaite

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Podcast pundit John Blain has recently discussed Everton’s young central defender Jarrad Branthwaite on a recent episode of Talking the Blues.

The Toffees secured the services of the 18-year-old Englishman during the January transfer window when they paid Carlisle United £990,000 for him (per Transfermarkt).

Branthwaite then went on to make four appearances for Everton’s senior side (per Transfermarkt).

However, in the latest episode of the Talking the Blues podcast, Blain aired his belief that supporters should not get overly excited about the youngster.

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To kick-off this quiz on Carlo Ancelotti on the side of easy, which side was his first game on the touchline at Goodison Park against?

He said: “If you look [at the] centre-defence starters in Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate, we’re okay.

“Young Branthwaite came in, but he was fortunate that it was during lockdown and he’s barely 19 and some of his inexperience wasn’t exposed.

“So, people need to be careful they don’t get carried away there, thinking Everton have got a 19-year-old who could go straight in [to the first team].”

TIF Thoughts…

As can be seen in what Blain had to say regarding Branthwaite, he clearly does not believe that the youngster can be considered ready for the first team just yet.

Do you believe that Blain is being overly harsh on Jarrad Branthwaite?

No, it's a fair assessment

No, it's a fair assessment

Yes, it's a little unfair

Yes, it's a little unfair

However, in his four Premier League appearances for the Toffees during the 2019/20 Premier League season, the defender did deliver relatively respectable performances.

Across his two starts and two substitute outings, the 18-year-old Englishman earned a 6.65/10 average rating (per WhoScored).

That rating was enough to make the young centre-back the joint-ninth-best performer to feature for Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit in the league last term.

So, perhaps Branthwaite is a better prospect than Blain is giving him credit for, especially when considering that he made the joint-fourth-most tackles per league game in the squad over his appearances (2.0).

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