The Friedkin Group pumped over £100m into Everton’s squad this summer transfer window.
David Moyes now has a lot more quality in his Everton ranks, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall already proving their worth.
Grealish is the top assister in the Premier League and some Manchester City fans have even urged the club to bring him back.
Iliman Ndiaye has also started the season brightly, and he was subjected to a substantial bid from Inter Milan in the window.
However, none of the aforementioned trio are actually the most valuable player at the football club, as CIES Football Observatory release their updated figures.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Who is Everton’s most valuable player?
According to Football Observatory’s latest figures, the most valuable player at Everton is Jarrad Branthwaite.
The defender has been listed at between £42-52m, which is a lot lower than what the club would sanction his sale for.
The Toffees wanted around £80m to sell Branthwaite earlier this year, amid claims Manchester United were willing to offer £50m.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Now, given that the PSR restrictions have lifted, the Friedkins likely consider him untouchable as he penned a new deal in the summer.
Jarrad Branthwaite excited about his future at Everton
After signing a new contract in July, Branthwaite admitted he had seen a change in trajectory at the club, which convinced him to commit his future amid Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur interest.
“I’ve been at Everton for five-and-a-half years now and I’ve seen the change the Club’s had over the past six months,” he told Everton’s website.
“It’s very exciting for us as a team, as players, to have that going on in the background and obviously to be starting the new season at the new stadium.
“The ambition was a huge thing. The way the manager wants us to go as a team and what he wants us to do for next season and where he wants us to challenge for has had a big impact on the decision. I think you saw towards the end of last season as a team what we can do.
“The manager has been really good, not only for me but for the group. You saw the change in results, the change in mood since he came in. He drives the demands every day to be better.”