Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad is set to make Jarrad Branthwaite ‘consider his future’ after the Everton star was snubbed by the new England boss.
Branthwaite was a shock omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad after making his international debut against Bosnia last June, and has continued to be overlooked by the senior team.
The 22-year-old broke into the Everton squad at the beginning of last season following an impressive loan spell at PSV under Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and has been crucial for the Toffees ever since.
The 6’5 defender has 19 clean sheets to his name over the last two Premier League seasons, and was a key target for Man United over the summer with Everton rejecting multiple bids for the defender.
Despite Branthwaite’s Premier League form, he still only has one senior cap to his name, and according to Sky Sports the latest snub from St Georges Park will force the centre back to assess his options.
The report states that Man City, Liverpool, and Spurs have been tracking Branthwaite this season while United remain interested.
Real Madrid are also believed to have sent scouts to watch the England U21 international, with Carlo Ancelotti handing him his first start for Everton back in 2020.
Branthwaite has just over two years left on his Everton deal, with the Merseyside club having an option to extend the deal for an extra year.
Jarrad Branthwaite captaining England U21s vs Portugal- getty
Speaking following the squad announcement, David Moyes revealed his surprise to the decision to leave Branthwaite with Lee Carsley in the U21 squad.
“I don’t pick the England squad, so I can only say if you’re looking at the last six or seven weeks Jarrad Branthwaite would be up there playing as well as any English centre-half in the country,” he told the media.
“But the big thing he needs to do? Go and play for England Under-21s and be the best player again, and then he gets selected again.
Moyes added: “That’s the instructions I’ve been giving him – go and show what you can do for the 21s and Lee Carsley will pass good information back to the manager and hopefully it will get you back in.”
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Topics: Everton, England, Premier League, Transfers, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly 'considering his future' at the club after being surprisingly left out of the latest England squad by manager Thomas Tuchel. This omission has put several top clubs on high alert, with potential summer transfer activity on the horizon for the talented centre-back.
Despite earning his debut England senior cap against Bosnia last June under Gareth Southgate, Branthwaite has consistently been overlooked for the national team since. His latest snub by new England boss Thomas Tuchel is understood to be a major factor prompting him to re-evaluate his options at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old has become a mainstay in the Everton lineup, particularly after a successful loan stint at PSV Eindhoven under Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He cemented his place in the Toffees' squad at the start of last season and has been an integral part of their defense ever since.
Standing tall at 6'5", Branthwaite boasts an impressive record of 19 clean sheets in the Premier League over the past two seasons. His solid performances made him a primary target for Manchester United in the previous summer transfer window, but Everton rejected multiple offers to retain his services.
Despite his consistent club form in the English top-flight, Branthwaite still holds only one senior international cap. According to Sky Sports reports, this continued international cold shoulder from the national team setup is pushing the young defender to consider his future away from Everton.
Premier League Giants and Real Madrid Eye Branthwaite Move
The report further indicates that a host of Premier League heavyweights are keenly monitoring Branthwaite's situation.
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
These three clubs are reportedly tracking Branthwaite's progress closely this season. Manchester United also remain interested in securing the promising defender, holding a long-term admiration for his capabilities.
Adding an international dimension to the interest, Spanish giants Real Madrid are understood to have dispatched scouts to assess the England U21 international. Interestingly, current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti handed Branthwaite his senior debut for Everton back in 2020, highlighting a pre-existing connection.
Branthwaite's current contract with Everton has just over two years remaining, although the club does possess an option to extend it by an additional year, giving them some leverage in any potential transfer negotiations.
Following the squad announcement, West Ham manager David Moyes voiced his surprise at Branthwaite's omission, stating: "If you’re looking at the last six or seven weeks Jarrad Branthwaite would be up there playing as well as any English centre-half in the country."
Moyes suggested a clear path for Branthwaite: “Go and play for England Under-21s and be the best player again, and then he gets selected again…go and show what you can do for the 21s and Lee Carsley will pass good information back to the manager and hopefully it will get you back in."
Will Branthwaite's future remain at Everton, or will a summer move to one of Europe's elite clubs materialize? Only time will tell as the transfer window approaches and interested parties solidify their plans.
What do you think? Should Branthwaite move to a bigger club to enhance his England chances? Let us know your opinion in the comments!