Following the win over Brentford, NBC Sports analyst Robbie Earle praised Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, calling him “outstanding.”
Branthwaite was chosen by Earle as the unappreciated performer of the week. Earle praised Branthwaite’s technical, athletic, and cerebral skills and said he is always developing while working with Sean Dyche and playing alongside James Tarkowski.
In addition, he predicted that the 21-year-old would be one of Everton’s key contributors this season and praised his loan stint at PSV for helping him develop both as a player and a person.
I’m going to pick Jarrad Branthwaite, said Earle during an appearance on The 2 Robbies Podcast on the NBC Sports YouTube channel. He is 21 years old and joined PSV on loan in order to play football.
I believe that going to a different nation helped him evolve as a player and a man, and they Everton are incredibly delighted with the progress he’s made.
There is already discussion of teams like Manchester United taking a look at him because of his quickness on the ground, left foot, good attitude, and constant improvement. He is, in my opinion, taking lessons from Tarkowski, who has much improved, has always had a bit of a leadership role, and will fight to the death.
“In a side where, you remember the days when it was Mason Holgate, Conor Coady, and Ben Godfrey, they’ve had centre-backs all over the place, some have gone, some are not in form, but Branthwaite’s come in and done an outstanding under-the-radar job,” said the commentator.
“He’s a young player who if you can keep an eye on and if he can maintain a partnership, is going to be as important for Everton as anybody else in that squad.”
Stepping up at a crucial time
Branthwaite has been one player who has really stepped up so far this season, turning in impressive performances whenever he’s been called upon, and has now cemented his place in Dyche’s plans after starting the last four Premier League games alongside Tarkowski.
With a strong defensive system being the manager’s favoured style and two players at the center of it who will put in consistently great performances, that center-back duo will prove to be crucial in Everton’s fight for survival.
Branthwaite in particular will view this season as his major chance to establish himself on the largest platform because of his previous success in winning the Dutch Cup with PSV.
After their performance against Brentford, Tarkowski was all praise for his defensive partner [via the Liverpool Echo] and said he could rise “to the very top” of the game. This acclaim is continuing to pour on the 21-year-old this season.
