David Unsworth has given his views on the "enormous potential" of Everton’s latest debutant Jarrad Branthwaite.
The teenage defender replaced Leighton Baines for the second half of the loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Sunday and then made his home bow in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Coming on for the injured Mason Holgate on 16 minutes, the January signing from League Two club Carlisle United put in an accomplished display in central defence alongside Michael Keane, and Unsworth says that the current situation has offered Branthwaite a huge opportunity.
“Jarrad is a lovely boy and we secured his services because we think he’s got enormous potential,” said the Under-23 coach. “He did really well to break into Carlisle United’s first team and he’s got things to work on in his game but he’s only 18 and he doesn’t have to rush his career.
“We will work on him, and training with the first-team every day is giving him unbelievable exposure to the way Carlo Ancelotti works.
“He’s also working alongside the likes of Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Michael Keane – international footballers. And he’ll see Mason Holgate, who three or four years ago was in exactly the same position that Jarrad himself is in now.
“Jarrad is one of a number of players who we have high hopes for.”
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Some of Unsworth’s players have been supplementing the first-team squad for training and games since Premier League football restarted and he is delighted they can learn from such an experienced and decorated manager in Carlo Ancelotti.
“It’s been amazing from the first day that Carlo walked in through the door,” said Unsworth. “I just thought that it was a wonderful appointment and one that we needed. It lifted the whole Club when a manager of his reputation came in.
“I have to say on a personal level that Carlo has been absolutely fantastic. The players and staff love him and I watch him whenever I can to try and learn from him, and I know Duncan feels the same way.
“He’s been there, seen it and done it all at an elite level and it’s wonderful that we have him as our manager. If you can’t learn from someone like Carlo Ancelotti, then you shouldn’t be in football.”
