‘Rubbish’ – Sky pundit shushed live on air over Everton player comments

Sue Smith was jokingly told to be quiet by fellow pundit Stephen Warnock after praising Everton gem Jarrad Branthwaite live on air.

Branthwaite has been superb for the Toffees this season and has already been touted as a target for Manchester United and Arsenal among others.

However, Everton fans Smith and Warnock were reluctant to praise the centre-back for his displays as to not persuade clubs to make a move.

I’ve had so many Evertonians saying don’t big him up, say ‘he’s rubbish’,” Smith said on Sky Sports News [19 February, 12:32].

“But he’s been outstanding and has developed a real strong partnership with James Tarkowski.

“For 70 minutes against Erling Haaland and Manchester City, he was brilliant. He’s calm, composed, has good positioning.”

Warnock then jokingly urged Smith to “shush”, to which she replied: “I don’t think he’s any good.”

Jarrad Branthwaite likely to attract transfer interest

It is inevitable that there will be plenty of buzz surrounding Branthwaite in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The England defender in waiting looks like he has been in the heart of Everton’s defence for years, rather than just this season.

After starring on loan with PSV in the Netherlands, he took his first-team chance when it arrived early in the campaign and has not looked back.

For any clubs interested – and there will be plenty of them – it needs to be remembered that Branthwaite signed a new long-term deal in October

That has tied the 21-year-old down at Goodison Park until the end of the 2026-27 campaign, so Everton are in no rush to sell.

Unfortunately for Smith, the secret is now out of the bag and the transfer interest is something Toffees fans will have to become accustomed to.

There is no reason, though, why Everton cannot yet get another few campaigns out of this hugely talented player.