Jarrad Branthwaite is potentially the Everton player with the highest ceiling at the moment.
The centre-back has been in fine fettle recently alongside James Tarkowski at the heart of the Everton defence, and has played a big part in the club’s safety.
Jarrad Branthwaite is a player who has interest from several clubs at the moment.
Manchester United are especially keen on Branthwaite, and there have even been suggestions that Real Madrid are keen as well.
Branthwaite was left frustrated recently when he missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
Tuchel then annoyed Evertonians when he didn’t invite Branthwaite to train with the seniors over the international break.
That’s led some to suggest that Branthwaite might have to leave Everton in order to boost his international prospects – and that was put to David Moyes yesterday.
David Moyes offers four reasons Jarrad Branthwaite should have worries about his England prospects
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
To date, Branthwaite has just one England cap to his name, which came against Bosnia a year ago.
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Some feel that Branthwaite is definitely good enough now to be making squads regularly.
But there is a notion that Branthwaite may have to leave Everton in order to become more prominent within the England picture.
But Moyes rejects that notion.
Ahead of tonight’s game with Liverpool, Moyes said in his press conference: “I would say to him, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott – that’s three who we brought in who went on to become international players for England, which was a great achievement.
“I think Jarrad’s in that position where he could easily go on and do that.
“I see it as a challenge for Jarrad to pick up and say come on, I’m going to show what I can do. But I think this club’s development quite a few England internationals to be honest over the years. We’ve got a very good goalkeeper who’s playing for England as well.”
Branthwaite can be successful with Everton and England
It was a fair response from Moyes about Branthwaite and his England prospects.
While there probably would be a greater chance for him to become a regular if he played for a club fighting for titles, there are examples to suggest staying at Everton won’t hinder him.
He may have missed out on Tuchel’s first squad, but Jordan Pickford has been firmly established for England for years now.
And as Moyes said, the likes of Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Leighton Baines all got international caps.
But Pickford is the biggest example of an Everton player thriving with England, and hopefully Branthwaite’s teammate’s international exploits will encourage him to stick around.