Jarrad Branthwaite Bolsters Everton Defense And Could Emulate John Stones

We develop a good player and before he plays a handful of games, he's lined up for sale to a Big 6 team. When they come calling, the media will roll out the, "He has to go to a better team, a bigger club."

Make the most of him, lads, he's already sold.

The dream is that, as he improves further, he still wants to stay with us, we gradually improve the squad and he captains us to trophies and some great European campaigns in the new stadium.

Brilliantly said , whenever we get a young player who's looking good, the media have him playing for a Top 6 side (yawn).

For fuck's sake, leave us and him alone and let us progress.

However more importantly is his strong partnership with the experienced Tarkowski.

My main concern with Everton's defence is at full-back especially from crosses which always seem to catch them out at the far post.

I have my doubts that Patterson, Mykolenko nor even Young (in the short term) will ever give me confidence so maybe Godfrey could be the answer like Dan Burn is at Newcastle.

Still, that is something Dyche has to get working properly soon.

With Keane prone to gaffes, I think we will need to reinforce the centre-back position. Godfrey is not the answer.

Sadly, I suspect Branthwaite will be gone within 18 months. At least by having secured his contract we will get a large sum of cash, unless a canny agent has written in a low maximum sale price.

Let's enjoy watching him while we can, there is much to be admired in excellent defensive work.

The loan at PSV has made him a very good player who will get better.

When Ratcliffe was emerging, he had an aura, pace and pace, and always looked like he had loads of time on the ball. Branthwaite, is the same, and has two good feet.

He is future Captain material, for Everton.

On a separate note, rumours this afternoon, and nothing more than rumours, that Everton, will get a 5-point deduction, and a 12-month transfer ban.

Let's see what happens and, if so, Evertonians will ride the storms that could come.

UTFTs!

I expect at least one of those 3 may well be on their way in January, and if it is Branthwaite, then hopefully it'll include an immediate loan back to us until the end of the season.

The short-term goal must surely be to secure our status as a Premier League club for the 2024-25 season. If we can stave off the need to sell any of our best players this season, then it's inevitable that player sales in the next passage of time are going to be necessary, and the queue for Branthwaite is already building; his fairly unique skill-set – height, pace, left-footed, English – will command fierce competition for his signature and an eye-watering fee.

I'm fairly confident that the only way that Branthwaite will still be at Everton by the end of next season is if his form drops off massively or if he runs into injury or off-the-field problems. Much like happened with John Stones, Branthwaite is destined to be a cut above where we are at this moment.

His potential could take him right to the top – and sadly that is a place that we are not likely to manage to operate in for at least a good few years.

Jarrad Branthwaite was magnificent during Everton's 1-0 win over West Ham. The young centre-back's first notable involvement was to stop Michail Antonio charging on to a pass down the right and he grew in stature as the game progressed.

It was Branthwaite who started the move that led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's winner. He left Antonio on the floor with a strong challenge and quickly moved the ball forward for Calvert-Lewin to link with Jack Harrison.

Then, when West Ham tried to force an equaliser, Branthwaite stood firm next to the experienced James Tarkowski. The 21-year-old won his headers, made important blocks, read danger and ensured that Jordan Pickford did not have to make a save until added time in the second half.

It was no surprise Sean Dyche singled out the defender for praise afterwards. Branthwaite appears to have benefited from a year on loan at PSV Eindhoven.

Ray #7, you're right, but I'd say he's got all he needs to be an excellent tackler, and the improved timing will come with experience. A year from now he will be superior to Tarkowski in the tackle. I just hope he's demonstrating it in the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Pete #8, I have no concerns about Godfrey's speed. Assuming he's healthy, pace is pace, it doesn't go away. Neither does his fierce tackling ability. What he lacks completely are positional nous, heading ability and passing skill. All three are required to be capable in a back three. I'm not optimistic about him long-term.

Tom #6, if Mykolenko hasn't already secured your confidence, he never will. The kid is, in my opinion, the best defensive left-back in the Premier League. He'll never be a modern attacking full-back, but damn, he locks down every top attacker he faces. Nothing is getting past him this season.

It's a sad state of affairs. look at Sheffield Wednesday for a glimpse into our potential future.

Using data and expert scouting to buy young talent below 21 years old for low fees (not Onana fees). Then, loaning them out for development and integrating them into the first team before selling them in 2-3 years for huge profits.

If that profit is reinvested wisely in young talent, it becomes a virtuous circle that allows a club to progress in a regular Top 8 spots and hopefully Europe.

We also have to accept that there will be a few misses in this process, as we have seen Mason Holgate, and patience is essential. Klopp started building off a far stronger base than us but still took 4 years to win a trophy.

But it is a more sustainable model than the one we adopted between 2016-2020, which almost bankrupted the club.

A few weeks ago, he was behind the likes of Harwood-Bellis and Colwill as top young English centre-backs. They are both excellent but Branthwaite is (as Andrew says #10) almost unique. In fact, I can't really think of a player quite like him (maybe DeLigt).

If he keeps this up, the fee could be astronomical. Sad to be thinking in such terms but it gives us a chance to build the squad, and Thelwell and Dyche seem a pretty astute partnership for that sort of thing.

If this is handled well we could have a really good squad in 2 or 3 years.

That's when you can start to put together the sort of side Leverkusen now have (assembled in a similar way) – which looks capable of taking on any club in Europe right now. Worth the wait.

Maybe Branthwaite is looking ahead 3 years when we'll have a prime 32 year old Pickford, 25 year old Patterson, 24 year old Branthwaite, 24 year old Onana, 25 year old Garner, 26 year old McNeil and 29 year old Calvert-Lewin and thinking that this is a team with potential.

He won't be the polished article until he's in his late 20s.

But he is racing ahead in his development. Composed on the ball. Intelligent in his use of it. Not afraid to go old school when he has to.

I am undecided whether he is quick or it is his anticipation and reading of the game. Probably a combination.

You can never tell or predict the future, but right now he looks more than promising as I've seen in a while.

Here's hoping we see him at Bramley Moore Dock and the next time he plays in Europe, it is in Royal Blue.

I agree with the sentiment. However a rather long term pattern has been established and people's views reflect it. A reality of where we are in the chain.

Only two defences from the big money clubs: either be a big money club, or hope the player (Branthwaite here) has a faith and vision as you and Kevin suggest, with a measure of loyalty thrown in. Then there are our financial difficulties (Stu).

Danny, I think he is pretty quick. Has a great reach for tackling, when he does. He's made a couple of tackles going to ground too, which is a rare thing today.

So far I think it's a big "If" re Beto and Chermiti. Here's hoping.

Many went over the top about John Stones. But as soon as He hit a sticky patch the crowd turned on him. I believe Stones was ahead of Jarrod. At 21 He had played about 75-80 games and had already attracted interest and concrete bids from Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. It wasn't until the start of the next season when we cashed in.

Jarrod in comparison is a bit unexposed. He hasn't started half a season (18 games) yet.

Let's enjoy his performances, pat him on the back when he plays well, but let's not put overwhelming expectation on his young shoulders. It was very shrewd of the club to recently lengthen his contract, but let's remember Centre halves don't usually reach a peak until the mid/late twenties. Let's be just as nice to him when he makes a mistake of two.

Marcel Brands had not seen him play when he signed him, but by acting upon the urgings of junior scouts, who had, He managed to make at least one decent signing whilst blowing well over £400 million on sick notes. How the likes of Arsenal and Barca must wish he was still here. How Evertonians who have despaired of his signings must wish he never was

We have all observed that any Premier League team that starts to show a little form and functionality will attract attention - and those players will be highly coveted. The slow but steady drip of the most eye-catching players out of clubs like Leicester, Southampton and more recently Brighton becomes inevitable if those clubs cannot become consistent challengers for honours. Without that they cannot truly compete with the wage structures that operate at Champions League clubs.

So while it's a lovely thought to seek to build a team around Branthwaite, Onana et al, sometimes there are just greater forces at play, and (as Robert #17 outlines) if we are able to use player sales to stabilise the club on and off the pitch then it might mean that those sold players are making a greater contribution to the future success of the club by moving on than they could by staying. Then the pressure is on Thelwell and the board to spend the money wisely, which never proves easy but that's the challenge.