Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has suffered another injury setback after missing the start of the season.
The 2026 World Cup is looming large, and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite would have hoped for an England call-up.
Branthwaite missed out on Euro 2024 and may now be in an uphill battle to play at next summer’s World Cup.
Defender Branthwaite missed the start of the season through injury and won’t be in action any time soon.
Branthwaite has suffered a setback and must now undergo surgery ahead of an extended period on the sidelines.
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Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury record at Everton
Everton fans have been left concerned about Branthwaite’s setback, and not just in the short term.
Some fear that Branthwaite is now becoming the new Yerry Mina and will ultimately continue to be plagued by injuries.
The injuries have really racked up over the years, starting with an ankle problem picked up against Salford City in September 2020, as noted by the Liverpool Echo.
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That kept Branthwaite out for around six weeks, and another ankle problem required surgery during a loan spell with Blackburn Rovers in 2021.
Branthwaite missed a handful of games during his time at PSV Eindhoven, including a hamstring issue in March 2023.
The 2024-25 season saw Branthwaite suffer groin problems, starting with surgery over the summer before a setback in October 2024.
Transfermarkt note that the groin injury problems resulted in Branthwaite missing 15 games in total.
The hamstring issues have returned this season, with Branthwaite picking up his ninth injury in the last five years.
Branthwaite has already missed eight Premier League games this season, and his setback means that tally will now move into double figures soon enough.
Jarrad Branthwaite facing uncertain 2026
Repeated muscle injuries are always cause for concern, and a niggling hamstring problem can become a long-term issue.
Everton will hope to avoid that situation with Branthwaite and will believe that his imminent surgery will solve the problem.
We may not see Branthwaite in action again until 2026, and there are question marks surrounding the defender.
Will Branthwaite be able to stay fit? Is his World Cup dream over until 2030? Will Branthwaite still receive major transfer interest?
Everton may have imagined selling Branthwaite for big money in the summer of 2026, but these injury woes may just scupper that idea.
Few Everton fans would complain about Branthwaite staying put, but the coming months will be fascinating for his career moving forward.