After missing out on the senior side, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite received a call-up to the England U21’s squad.
Branthwaite would have been hoping to line up in front of Jordan Pickford on Friday night at Wembley Stadium.
Thomas Tuchel did not grant Branthwaite an England call-up to his first squad selection ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers.
It may have come as a big surprise, considering the shock call-ups for Dan Burn and Liverpool Jarell Quansah.
The Everton defender was included in the squad for the U21’s game against France on Friday evening, but Branthwaite had to settle for a spot on the bench.
Given the injury issues the club have experienced this season, David Moyes will have been keen to hear the reasoning behind that decision.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Why Jarrad Branthwaite did not start for England U21s vs France
After not making the senior squad, Moyes told Branthwaite to show his best for England U21s over the next week.
That is extremely difficult when he is starting the game against France on the bench.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
According to The Guardian, Branthwaite was not handed a start as he did not meet up with Lee Carsley’s squad until Wednesday.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis started at left centre-back for the Young Lions as they tasted a 5-3 defeat away to France.
Branthwaite did come in the final stages of the game, but Everton fans will just be happy to see him come out of the game injury-free.
No other Premier League defender is as two-footed as Branthwaite, which is a massive indication of his technical ability.
But that was not deemed enough to earn him a call-up over the likes of Quansah, who has barely played any football this season, in comparison.
Everton are keen to hand Jarrad Branthwaite a new contract
Everton are keen to hand Branthwaite a new contract, with Manchester United showing interest ahead of the summer.
The defender has played a huge role in Everton’s season after making his return from the injury which kept him out in the early stages.
But his performances for the Toffees have not translated into an England call-up, at least not at senior level.
Everton shared their support for Branthwaite after the disappointment of not receiving a phone call from Tuchel.
It has been a really impressive season for the 23-year-old, and his efforts certainly will not go under the radar by those on Merseyside.