Everton have been a day late and a dollar short far too often in recent memory, but things are beginning to look up. David Moyes brings with him a sort of confidence, exuding a winning mentality that has been absorbed by players desperate for something more.
While the summer transfer window will bring Everton, who are all but certain to be plying their trade in the Premier League next year, a sense of clarity, fans will hope that incoming Director of Football Angus Kinnear can ship out the deadwood and ensure the signings made hit the ground running.
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match
He'll do his best, no doubt. However, the Toffees may also need to cash in on one or two of their prized possessions in order to make the sweeping changes anticipated. Sadly, one such player might be Jarrad Branthwaite.
Jarrad Branthwaite's Everton future
Branthwaite is probably Everton's best player; certainly, he's the most valuable in the present market. Interest in his signature was rife last season, Manchester United launching a succession of bids but failing to even brush the £75m ballpark that Farhad Moshiri and Kevin Thelwell deemed just for the centre-back's sale.
Man-United-Branthwaite
Everton are within their rights to demand a king's ransom for Branthwaite's departure. After all, the 22-year-old has been described as "pretty special" by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher.
And rightly so. In the Premier League last season, Branthwaite won 67% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore. This year, that success rate has risen to a staggering 74% average. At 6 foot 5, he's commanding and imperious in his defending, bearing the mark of a future superstar.
He's one of the very best and Everton's most valuable player right now, but there's actually another rising star in the English top flight worth more than Branthwaite.
That man is Anthony Gordon, not the flavour of the month on either half of Merseyside right now.
The ex-Everton star now worth more than Branthwaite
Part of the Newcastle United squad (albeit not featuring at Wembley due to suspension) that defeated Liverpool in this month's Carabao Cup final, Gordon has gone from strength to strength since leaving Everton.
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But while Toffees will have allowed a smirk at Gordon-involved celebrations, seeing the Reds in ruin, the England international is not very well liked at Goodison after forcing his way out in January 2023.
Frank Lampard had been dismissed and Sean Dyche appointed in his stead, with the upheaval and overall turbulence at Everton seemingly convincing Gordon that he needed to jump ship. And so, having handed in a transfer request, he signed for the Magpies in a deal worth £45m.
Anthony Gordon - Senior Stats by Club
Club/level
Newcastle
Everton
Preston
England
Data via Transfermarkt
Newcastle's Player of the Year for 2023/24, Gordon came close to moving back to Merseyside before the current campaign kicked off. Indeed, Liverpool were perusing the market for a left-sided forward and the Toon needed to raise money due to PSR complications.
They circumvented through other means, largely because Newcastle chiefs placed an incredible £100m price tag on the Three Lions winger, which would have seen him become one of the most expensive players in Premier League history if acted upon from Anfield, very much above Branthwaite in that regard.
Iliman Ndiaye's success this season after joining from Marseille last summer has put Gordon's frustrations firmly to bed, but it's still disappointing to think he was so quick to flee after spending a decade at the club, joining from Liverpool's academy aged 11.
Gordon is a "special" player, as said by producer Andrew Musgrove, and losing his quality remains a bitter pill to swallow.
Anthony Gordon
Given that his performances have led to claims of a potential £100m transfer fee, it's one Everton will rue for a while. It could have been so much more.
jarrad branthwaite Related
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Everton might need a replacement for Branthwaite if he leaves