Branthwaite Sets New Everton & England Target

Jarrad Branthwaite says he hopes to build on his outstanding breakthrough season for Everton and England – while revealing he is targeting a fast start with the Blues for the upcoming campaign.

The 22-year-old defender enjoyed an impressive term of development during 2023/24, with only James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford making more Premier League starts for the Toffees (38) than the young centre-back (35).

Branthwaite became a key figure for the Club, forming a solid centre-back partnership with Tarkowski and helping the Everton backline to register the fourth-best defensive record in the division. Everton’s 51 goals-against record was bettered by only Arsenal (29), Manchester City (34) and Liverpool (34).

A crucial cog in that defence, Branthwaite – speaking to evertontv – is eager to improve further on the previous year, as he previewed the campaign ahead with Sean Dyche’s squad.

“I think for me it's just about taking what I learned from last season, and the season before, and putting it all together,” he explained.

“I think last season, playing all the games I did helped me put performances in and get the experience I needed. I'm going to take that into this season and keep learning.

“When you’ve got a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season. It’s not just the defenders who contribute to that, it’s the whole team and it’s the way the manager has us set up to give us the best possible chance to win games, and to pick up as many points as we can.

“I think it’ll be the same again this season. Hopefully, we can pick up a few wins early on and get the momentum going in the new season.”

During 2022/23, Branthwaite progressed while out on loan in the Netherlands, spending a valuable term with PSV Eindhoven, where he gained invaluable experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.

Upon his return from the temporary move, the promising defender was offered an opportunity to make a case for his inclusion in Dyche’s Everton starting XI.

Branthwaite recalled: “Before I came back from my loan [Dyche] rang me just to catch up. As soon as I came, and I could see he was going to give me a chance, it was just about working hard.

“The start of the season – three or four games – I wasn’t in the team, but he was reassuring me I'll get my chance and it was for me to take it. Thanks to him he gave me that chance and I took it.”

A year on and Branthwaite has earned a first senior England call-up, while also picking up Everton’s Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season.

The centre-back recognises the growth he showed during the past 12 months and lists a combination of self-belief and guidance from experienced teammates as key factors in his improvement.

“I think for any young person, any young player, it's about playing as many games as you can and that gives you the experience you need.

“You can only get experience in games and taking that into each game that I've done last season. It helped me massively to put in the performances which I did.

‘I think you’ve got to be confident in your ability, but it's the best league in the world. It's got the best players and it's obviously the most difficult league in the world, so you know the expectations you're going to have.

“You're going to have bad days, and we had a couple of them last season, but it's about how you react to them, and I think that's something I've learned. The more games I've played, it's not to get too low and just to keep a positive mindset and going to the next game, knowing how good you can be.

“As a young player to have experience around you, all the games [Seamus Coleman, Pickford and Tarkowski] have played collectively and alone, and to feed off their experience, it's only good for a young player. To have that last season definitely helped me massively and it's helped me progress.”

Despite making his first senior England appearance just last month, Branthwaite narrowly missed out on Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2024 European Championships.

Reflecting on his Three Lions’ debut – a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina – he discussed his future aims in international football.

“It’s a dream come true,” Branthwaite added, summarising his England appearance. “I think for any young kids, growing up, to represent their country is the main objective. For me to able to do that – with my family there, as well – it was massive. Not just for me, but for all of my family and friends, as well. It was a great experience.

“I want to play for England as many times as I can. It’s about putting in performances for club out there for whoever the next England manager is going to be, and to impress them. Hopefully, I get many more opportunities.”