Everton have endured a busy international break which has seen plenty going on outside of the football.
David Moyes will now be welcoming back his players to Finch Farm as the Toffees prepare for their next game against Liverpool.
There has been some positive news coming out of Finch Farm, with Dwight McNeil returning to Everton training following his injury.
However, it is Jarrad Branthwaite who has seen his name covered heavily by the media during the break from Premier League action.
This comes despite Branthwaite not getting a call-up to the England squad and settling for a spot with Lee Carsley’s U21s.
And Simon Jordan has not enjoyed listening to the media merry-go-round which is beginning to form around Everton.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Simon Jordan slams Jarrad Branthwaite over Everton exit links
Ahead of the summer, Branthwaite is now being heavily linked with an Everton exit following his England snub.
There is a belief that for the 22-year-old to earn an England call-up, the defender needs to be playing for a bigger club than Everton.
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Writing for the Daily Mail, Jordan has slammed that idea and taken aim at Branthwaite in the process.
‘Leaked news that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite may seek new horizons came after the defender was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad,’ Jordan wrote.
‘Don’t be fooled by the timing. Any itchy feet won’t be due to the 22-year-old considering his World Cup prospects, more because Everton have achieved nothing during his time there.
‘Rather than looking down on Everton, Tuchel may just think – like me – that Branthwaite is all right but that it’s too early to rave about him being the best centre-half in the country.
‘He has two years left on his contract, so Everton’s new owners still have a big say on his future. And David Moyes would be within his rights to ask: ‘If the club is good enough for me, Jarrad, I don’t know why it’s not good enough for you!’
Strong words from Jordan who clearly believes there is nothing at Everton holding Branthwaite back from earning himself an England spot.
Interesting months lie ahead for the defender, with Everton keen to hand Branthwaite a new contract as a reward for another positive season.
Everton hold the cards over Branthwaite’s future
This summer will mark the first window in a long time where Everton are set up for success following the takeover in December.
The Friedkins are expected to back Moyes financially, with more PSR freedom also set to benefit the Toffees.
And the club are no longer in a position where they will feel it is necessary to sell their best players.
If the player is to try and force an exit, Everton will demand £80m for Branthwaite who has two years left on his current deal.
A really intriguing few months awaits the centre-back, with a new contract set to be offered likely to say a lot about where his head is really at.
The FA have told Branthwaite his club doesn’t determine a call-up to the England national side.
And the likes of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze have proven that after both shining for Tuchel during the game against Latvia on Monday evening.