Everton
‘I’m telling you’… Ian Wright says Everton have an absolutely unbelievable player in their squad
Everton, despite their struggles on the pitch, actually boast a starting side laden with quality.
Jordan Pickford cuts one of the division’s finest shot-stoppers, and in Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite they boast two of the hottest young properties in Europe too.
The foundation is in place for steady progression, yet the Premier League continues to prohibit them due to past transgressions.
However, having been a vocal supporter of their plight and battle with the aforementioned division, Ian Wright has now come out to lavish one of that outstanding trio with praise.
What Ian Wright said about Jarrad Branthwaite
Speaking on his podcast, Wright’s House, the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker wasted no time in lavishing the England U21 international with praise.
‘Very brave. And then when you listen to his interview he sounds like somebody who is like yeah, I’m there, I’m here. He should be called up. And not only that, he should be played. Let’s have a look at him. I’m telling you we have a monster on our hands at left-sided centre-half. A monster.’
Everton have had few England players in recent years
Despite having boasted a rich pool of top England players across the last decade or so, few have really been selected for the national side.
But, when Gareth Southgate was hired, that promised to change.
He issued a bold statement to fans, suggesting his selection would come from form first rather than the biggest names.
And whilst there are some fine examples of him sticking to his word, his desperation to include the likes of Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips despite struggling for minutes with their respective clubs diminishes his standing.
Pickford has been the sole Everton mainstay in the England side of late, and whilst James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have all featured for their national side since 2018, their opportunities have been few and far between.
However, in Branthwaite, it feels like they will not be denied.
He is too good and too precious an asset to keep out of the squad, as a mature left-footed titan with all the physical assets to thrive at the top level.
Wright clearly sees it, and the hope is that Southgate will do too to hopefully secure his place in the upcoming Euro 2024 squad set to travel to Germany this summer.
New target: Everton now eyeing move to sign new “warrior” to replace Branthwaite – report
Whilst they await the verdict of an appeal over their Financial Fair Play charge and subsequent 10-point deduction, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards a potential replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite, should the defender depart in a bid to raise cash this summer.
Everton transfer news
If Everton are hit with a second-point deduction to go hand-in-hand with their second FFP charge this season, then they may find themselves all but relegated to the Championship. And that could have dire consequences for Sean Dyche and his side, who would see several players decide to jump a sinking ship.
Among those who could leave is Branthwaite, who has enjoyed an impressive season so far at Goodison Park, emerging as a standout player. Those performances could come at a cost for Everton though, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and even Real Madrid now reportedly interested in securing the £75m-rated defender in the coming months.
The Toffees already face an uphill climb when it comes to keeping hold of Branthwaite, but relegation from the Premier League could leave them with no chance of avoiding his exit. With that said, those at Goodison Park are seemingly already preparing for the defender’s exit, with a replacement lined up.
According to Football Transfers, Everton are eyeing a move to sign Daniel Ballard from Sunderland if they need to replace Branthwaite this summer. The Black Cats defender graduated from Arsenal’s academy before finding his feet at The Stadium of Light. Now 24-years-old, the former Gunner could be on the move once more, with Sunderland setting a reported price tag of €23m (£20m), which would allow the Blues to have plenty leftover if it was a simple one in one out.
Whilst they may not need it, Ballard has plenty of Championship experience under his belt, which could prove to be a vital effort should Everton fail to avoid the drop this season. As things stand, Dyche’s side sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, level on points with Luton Town.
“Warrior” Ballard can replicate Branthwaite success
The thought of an Everton side without Branthwaite at the heart of it seems a worrying one for Everton these days, to sum up the defender’s impressive rise in the last year or so. But, if the 21-year-old does depart, then Ballard’s stats prove that he’d be more than capable of stepping into Branthwaite’s role with similar success.
Stats in domestic league 23/24 | Daniel Ballard | Jarrad Branthwaite |
---|---|---|
Progressive Carries | 20 | 0 |
Progressive Passes | 85 | 38 |
Tackles Won | 28 | 25 |
Interceptions | 26 | 39 |
Blocks | 41 | 27 |
Former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray was well aware of Ballard’s quality too, praising the defender at the start of the season: “I say we’re lucky to have him, but it was brilliant recruitment to bring Dan Ballard to this football club. He’s a diamond of a lad.
“I’m not sure where his ceiling is but he’s a wonderful footballer and an old-school centre-half who puts his body on the line. And if he plays against a really strong player, he just gets stronger himself. He reacts to what’s in front of him. He needed to be good last night against a good team. He’s a warrior, amazing really.”
Brighton handed boost as Everton confirm major injury blow ahead of Premier League clash
All the latest team news for Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League
Everton midfielder Andre Gomes looks set to miss this Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton, who are seventh in the league standings, will be full of confidence following their 5-0 victory at Sheffield United last time out.
Everton are also looking upwards after their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday saw Sean Dyche‘s men move out of the drop zone and into 17th.
Gomes however will likely miss out as he continues his recovery from a calf injury. The 30-year-old midfielder has not featured since January 17 when he scored the winning goal against Palace in the FA Cup.
Gomes has a history of calf issues and Dyche admitted last week that he’s not prepared to take unnecessary risks.
“Andre is back on the grass, but it still has to be a delicate one with his calf because he’s had a few of them now, so we’ve got to be careful with that.”
Brighton continue to have injury issues of their own this term with Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Julio Enciso (knee) and James Milner (thigh) expected to miss out against Everton.
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