Sport nationEverton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has received his first senior England call-up for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley. The 21-year-old centre-back was named in Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad on Thursday in recognition of his impressive performances for the Toffees in the Premier League this season.
Branthwaite has become a key figure in Sean Dyche’s well-organized Everton backline, starting 25 league matches so far in the 2023-24 campaign. The Merseyside club boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the top flight, with only Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City conceding fewer goals[4].
The Carlisle-born defender’s strong aerial presence, composure on the ball, and defensive acumen have caught Southgate’s eye. “He’s in on merit and we’re keen to find out more about him,” the England manager said of Branthwaite’s inclusion[7].
Branthwaite came through the youth ranks at his hometown club Carlisle United, making his professional debut for the League Two side at age 17 in 2019[14]. His potential was quickly recognized by Premier League outfit Everton, who signed him for a substantial undisclosed fee in January 2020[14].
After initially linking up with the Toffees’ Under-23s, Branthwaite soon began training with the first team and made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Wolves in July 2020[5]. His first start came just over a week later in a 1-0 win at Sheffield United, where he put in an assured display[5].
Loan spells at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship in early 2021 and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven last season aided Branthwaite’s development[5]. He made 37 appearances for PSV in all competitions in 2022-23, helping them lift the KNVB Cup, and also represented England at the Under-21 European Championships in the summer as the Young Lions triumphed[4][5].
This season, Branthwaite has established himself as a regular starter in Everton’s defense alongside the experienced likes of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady. Standing at 6ft 5in tall, he has won 64 aerial duels, the 12th most in the Premier League, with an impressive 65.3% success rate[4].
Branthwaite’s one-on-one defensive duel success rate of 82.9% ranks third among all Premier League players who have attempted 50 or more[4]. His ability to read the game is evidenced by his 41 interceptions, with only six players recording more[4].
Comfortable on the ball with either foot, Branthwaite signed a new four-year contract with Everton in October 2023 as reward for his rapid progress[5]. He credits the staff and senior professionals like Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford with aiding his development[4].
“They helped me to settle in when I came back, and I think that’s what’s helped me to deliver the performances,” Branthwaite said. “It’s a privilege to play with those players and they’re helping me along the way.”[4]
The young defender has also hailed the influence of his father Paul in his formative years coming through the ranks at Carlisle. Branthwaite revealed there was a crucial six-week period in his teens where United’s academy staff delayed a decision on whether to award him a youth team contract[11].
“That six weeks was hard work – my dad had me in the gym doing extra fitness stuff, so I could make it,” Branthwaite recalled. “If he didn’t do that for me I don’t think I’d be where I am now. I’d have just given up, I think [and] I wouldn’t be playing football [now].”[11]
Reacting to his maiden England call-up, Branthwaite said: “It’s a dream come true. To represent your national team at any level is a massive achievement, but for it to be the senior squad, I’m over the moon.”[4]
“I messaged my dad and he said he’s very proud of me. He said: ‘All of the family is proud’, so it’s a lovely feeling. I just can’t wait to join up with the team.”[4]
If he features against Brazil on March 23 or Belgium three days later, Branthwaite will become the first Cumbrian to play for England since goalkeeper Dean Henderson in November 2020[12]. He is one of two new faces in Southgate’s squad along with Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon[1][3].
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez returns to the England setup for the first time since 2020, while Brentford striker Ivan Toney is included again after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules[1][10]. However, there is no place for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips or Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling[10].
Southgate said he omitted Ben White from his plans after the Arsenal defender made himself unavailable for selection[10]. With England hosting this summer’s European Championship, these two prestige friendlies represent a final chance for the manager to experiment before whittling down his options.
For Branthwaite, the call-up caps a meteoric rise. Just three years ago he was playing League Two football and now he is on the cusp of representing his country against two of the world’s leading nations. His father Paul and the rest of his family will no doubt be bursting with pride when he links up with England at St George’s Park next week.
The level-headed defender appears to be taking it all in his stride, maintaining the focus and work ethic that have gotten him this far. “You can only affect what you do on the pitch and give yourself the best possible opportunity to be selected, and that’s by putting in good performances on the pitch,” Branthwaite noted.[4]
If he can translate his impressive club form onto the international stage, Branthwaite may well find himself in contention for a place in Southgate’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2024. But whatever the future holds, his first senior England call-up is a landmark moment for the young Cumbrian and just reward for his dedication and rapid development.
Citations:
[1] https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/england-squad-jarrad-branthwaite-and-ivan-toney-called-up
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarrad_Branthwaite
[3] https://www.barrons.com/news/branthwaite-gordon-get-england-chance-ahead-of-euros-f0dcff8e
[4] https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3932964/branthwaite-england-call-up-is-dream-come-true
[5] https://www.evertonfc.com/players/66318/jarrad-branthwaite
[6] https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/branthwaite-gordon-england-chance-ahead-150422489.html
[7] https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Mar/14/gareth-southgate-england-mens-squad-reaction-march-2024-20240314
[8] https://www.transfermarkt.us/jarrad-branthwaite/profil/spieler/661053
[9] https://timesofmalta.com/article/branthwaite-gordon-get-england-chance-ahead-euros.1089172
[10] https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/england-squad-euro-2024-southgate-brazil-belgium-b2511996.html
[11] https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/23967527.cumbrian-star-jarrad-branthwaite-dad-saved-career/
[12] https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/24185080.jarrad-branthwaite-called-england-squad-friendlies/
[13] https://sports.yahoo.com/branthwaite-earns-first-england-call-142654818.html
[14] https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2020/january/transfer-young-defender-joins-everton/
[15] https://www.football.london/premier-league/jarrad-branthwaite-anthony-gordon-handed-28819460
[16] https://www.toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Branthwaite.php
[17] https://www.sportsmax.tv/football/international/item/142903-england-summon-jarrad-branthwaite-and-anthony-gordon-as-kalvin-phillips-left-out
[18] https://fbref.com/en/players/c1949191/Jarrad-Branthwaite
[19] https://www.itv.com/news/border/2024-03-14/cumbrias-jarrad-branthwaite-called-up-to-england-squad-for-first-time
[20] https://ca.soccerway.com/players/jarrad-branthwaite/600913/
Sport nation
Amina Umar