Everton centre-back star Jarrad Branthwaite looks set to win his second England international cap over the next three weeks after being recalled to the squad
Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite (left) is an admirer of the way Sergio Ramos (right) played
Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite (left) is an admirer of the way Sergio Ramos (right) played
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Jarrad Branthwaite has admitted he has modelled his game on Real Madrid and Spain legend Sergio Ramos.
The Everton defender is back in the England squad after winning his only cap over two years ago. Thomas Tuchel’s side face Spain in a UEFA Nations League tie at Wembley on Saturday night and in-form Branthwaite is in contention for a start.
And the 24-year-old explained how Ramos, who made a record-breaking 180 appearances for Spain, was an inspiration when Branthwaite was learning his trade.
He said: “When I was growing up, I watched a lot of Real Madrid and Barcelona games and saw how big of a leader he (Ramos) was and the type of leader he was and how aggressive he was.
“He also scored lots of goals and had an all-round-game. When I was watching him, I thought he was a good player to base your game on.”
And while his hero is Spanish, Branthwaite hopes German medics will be the key to staying injury-free.
The centre-back missed the first five months of last season with a serious hamstring problem that recurred in April’s Merseyside derby, making him unavailable for World Cup selection.
It prompted Branthwaite and his club manager David Moyes to look for external help in tackling the issue.
And they turned to the MYOS clinic in Munich after seeing how treatment there had helped Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Branthwaite said: “I spoke to him (Calvert-Lewin) before I went just to ask him what he thought of it and how it all worked. He only had positive things (to say about it).
“If you see what he’s done in the last two seasons, it’s probably worked for him.
“I spoke to him and he held them in high regard so that’s why I went over and had the opportunity.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Seamus Coleman (L) Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton react after the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on April 24, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Seamus Coleman (left) congratulates Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton's goalscorers in the magnificent win over Liverpool in April 2024(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
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The MYOS clinic delivers a ‘holistic approach’ to athletes’ physical problems and has worked with the likes of David Alaba and Manuel Neuer.
And it has clearly helped Branthwaite, whose only England appearance came as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina a couple of years ago.
He explained: “It's a completely different approach. You don't just look at the hamstring as such. You look at everything, the way you move, and how your brain works and how it functions at different times under fatigue and things.
“And I think that was a big thing, especially going into pre-season, how I've been managed through pre-season to give myself the best possible chance and build my minutes up to when I come to the start of the league that I'm ready and fit, and I've played a certain amount of 90 minutes, so my body knows that it can cope with that.
“And as a club, they did a really good job with me over the summer to do that and put me in the best possible shape for the season.”