Everton center-back Jarrad Branthwaite is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday after suffering a major fresh injury blow, just as manager David Moyes had been optimistic about his most prized asset accelerating his comeback.
Branthwaite is regarded as one of the best young defenders in English soccer and was recently linked with a sensational transfer to Liverpool before signing a new contract at Everton, keeping him with the Toffees until the summer of 2030.
The 23-year-old has been absent for Everton throughout the entire campaign, but Moyes revealed he had returned to grass work during his pre-match press briefing on Friday ahead of the Manchester City clash the next day, with the club subsequently releasing a batch of images over the weekend showing Branthwaite participating in training alongside his teammates, both in match scenarios and while connected to a resistance band.
Nevertheless, he now faces an extended spell out of action with the club releasing the following statement: "Everton Football Club can confirm Jarrad Branthwaite has experienced a complication in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
"Following specialist consultation, it has been determined the defender will undergo a surgical procedure tomorrow to address the issue.
"Branthwaite will commence a structured rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the club's medical team following the operation."
Branthwaite committed his future to Everton by signing a new contract in July
Branthwaite committed his future to Everton by signing a new contract in July (Image: Getty Images)
Branthwaite's debut in competitive action since signing a new five-year contract in July continues to be delayed. The Blues signed him as a 17-year-old in January 2020, making him the first official signing of Carlo Ancelotti's tenure after impressing director of football Marcel Brands.
Despite having only played nine League Two matches for his hometown club Carlisle at the time, loan spells at Blackburn and PSV Eindhoven – where he was reunited with Brands – led to his return to Goodison Park at the start of the 2023-24 season, establishing himself as a regular in the first team.
His breakthrough season saw Branthwaite play 41 matches across all competitions, including 35 in the Premier League, score the opening goal in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool, marking Everton's first Merseyside Derby success at Goodison in 13-and-a-half years, and earn his first full cap when he came on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park in June 2024.
That summer, Manchester United made two transfer bids for him, with the second one being worth £45 million ($60.4 million) plus add-ons.
However, these offers did not come close to persuading the Blues' top brass, who were always determined to retain their prized asset.
Given the £80 million ($107.4 million) fee that Manchester United shelled out for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £75 million ($100.7 million) Chelsea parted with for Wesley Fofana in 2022, and the £77 million ($103.4 million) Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol in 2023, Everton view Branthwaite as being in the same league, particularly considering the premium attached to both left-footed defenders and homegrown talent.
After pledging his future to the club until 2030, he featured in the Blues' first two friendlies at Accrington Stanley and Blackburn ahead of the 2025-26 season, but remained in the United Kingdom when the team travelled to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.
Branthwaite then made a comeback for the inaugural first-team match in front of supporters at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Roma on 9 August, but exited the pitch in the 79th minute due to a hamstring issue that has sidelined him since.