David Moyes in Everton training (left), Jarrad Branthwaite playing for Everton (right)
David Moyes in Everton training (left), Jarrad Branthwaite playing for Everton (right)
Everton supporters have been delighted to see the level of involvement Jarrad Branthwaite has had so far this season.
The centre-back has started all five of Everton’s Premier League games so far, playing every minute.
Jarrad Branthwaite sustained a hamstring injury back in April during the Merseyside Derby, and fans were left dismayed when he left the field on a stretcher. He didn’t play in any of Everton’s last five games of 2025/26, and the Toffees finished the campaign in horrible form.
A graphic asking Everton fans to rate their start to the 2026/27 season between A* and D. Image shows David Moyes.
A graphic asking Everton fans to rate their start to the 2026/27 season between A* and D. Image shows David Moyes.
After recovering in the off-season, Branthwaite then returned to pre-season and was carefully managed by Everton.
And he has now shared details of an intervention from David Moyes that has proven key.
What Moyes suggested after Branthwaite’s most recent hamstring injury for Everton
Of course, that last hamstring injury was not the first for Branthwaite, and it’s been clear that it’s a somewhat vulnerable area of his body.
Given it was not his first injury, Branthwaite was keen to reassess the situation to try and get the best possible recovery, as well as management going forward.
And that’s when Moyes stepped in.
Branthwaite said (via evertonfc.com): “When something like that happens three or four times, you’ve got to reassess what’s going on. As a club we sat down – it was probably his [Moyes] idea more than anything – was to have a look at a different approach.
“We found someone in Germany, I was there for three or four weeks to look at a holistic approach to the body. Fingers crossed it’s put me in a good position.
“I was managed through pre-season to give myself the best possible chance and build my minutes up to get me ready. I’ve played a certain amount of 90 minutes and my body knows it can cope with that.
“The club did a really good job with me over the summer to do that and put me in the best possible position.”
It was recently suggested that internally at Everton, they think Branthwaite could now play three games in a week if he was required to, which is a major boost.
The way Everton managed Branthwaite during pre-season and the rehab work he did off the back of the suggestion by Moyes has helped him to be an ever-present in the Premier League so far.
And thus, he has been able to return to the England squad.
And Thomas Tuchel issued big praise for Branthwaite in his press conference the other day, saying: “I wanted to take the opportunity to give Jarrad a chance. He was injured several times when we had a chance to call him up, but he has had a very good start with Everton.”
Had it not been for Moyes’ intervention, he perhaps might not have been able to feature as much as he has, and may not be back in the squad now.