Sport nationEverton’s young defensive star Jarrad Branthwaite has earned his first senior England call-up for the upcoming international friendlies against Belgium and Brazil later this month. The 21-year-old center-back has been in outstanding form for the Toffees this season, establishing himself as a key player in Sean Dyche’s side as they battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Branthwaite’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by England manager Gareth Southgate, who named him in his 26-man squad for the two high-profile matches. However, the selection has prompted some debate among pundits, with former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson expressing his concerns about Branthwaite’s readiness for international football during an appearance on Sky Sports News.
Merson: Branthwaite Must Play Against Belgium and Brazil
Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Thursday, Merson insisted that Branthwaite must start both games during this international break in order to properly acclimatise to the demands of playing for England.
“Maguire is ahead of him, but he’s got to play against Brazil and Belgium,” Merson said. “I like him, but the problem is when you watch that video, everything’s on the edge of their box.”
Merson was referring to footage of Branthwaite’s performances for Everton this season, where he has often been part of a deep-lying defensive unit tasked with repelling opposition attacks. The pundit suggested that this style of play is very different to what Branthwaite can expect when representing England.
“England don’t play on the edge of their box, England are going to be dominating teams at the Euros, playing on the halfway line,” Merson explained. “I’d play him and Konsa at the back, you need to play against these teams. For me, they’ve got to play against Belgium and Brazil.”
Merson also drew a comparison with former Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross, who endured a difficult England debut against Sweden in 2012, coming up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“You see Ryan Shawcross, he made his debut playing against Ibrahimovic and didn’t know what day it was the poor lad. He never got another chance. That’s how hard it is, there are levels,” Merson said.
Branthwaite’s Everton Form Earns Deserved Recognition
Despite Merson’s reservations, there is no doubt that Branthwaite’s call-up to the England squad is a huge positive both for the player himself and for Everton as a club. The young defender has been one of the standout performers in a difficult season for the Toffees, earning plenty of praise from pundits and fans alike for his composure, athleticism and defensive nous.
Branthwaite has made 26 appearances in the Premier League so far this term, forming a solid partnership with James Tarkowski at the heart of Everton’s backline. His consistency and reliability have been crucial in helping Sean Dyche’s side climb out of the relegation zone in recent weeks, with the team currently sitting 17th in the table, two points clear of the bottom three.
The defender’s rapid progress has not gone unnoticed by other clubs, with reports suggesting that the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United and even Real Madrid are monitoring his situation ahead of a potential summer move. Everton will be desperate to keep hold of one of their most prized assets, but Branthwaite’s growing reputation means that a big-money bid could be difficult to resist.
Adapting to International Football
While Merson is right to highlight the potential challenges that Branthwaite may face in adapting to the different demands of international football, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the defender’s chances of making an impact for England.
Branthwaite possesses an impressive blend of physical and technical attributes that should stand him in good stead at the highest level. Standing at 6ft 5in tall, he has the aerial presence and physicality to compete with even the most imposing of strikers, while his pace and agility allow him to cover ground quickly and make recovery tackles when necessary.
The defender is also comfortable on the ball, with a good range of passing that enables him to build attacks from the back and play through opposition pressure. These qualities have been evident in his performances for Everton this season, where he has often been tasked with playing out from defense and initiating attacking moves.
Of course, representing England will bring its own unique challenges, not least the step up in quality of opposition and the increased scrutiny that comes with playing for the national team. However, Branthwaite has already shown that he can handle pressure situations, having played a key role in Everton’s fight against relegation this season.
Opportunities to Impress
The upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Brazil will provide Branthwaite with an excellent opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage and stake a claim for a place in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024.
England are likely to face stiff competition in both matches, with Belgium currently ranked number one in the world and Brazil boasting a wealth of attacking talent including Neymar, Vinicius Jr. and Roberto Firmino. However, these are exactly the kind of tests that Branthwaite needs to be exposed to if he is to develop into a top-class international defender.
If he is given the chance to start in either game, as Merson has suggested he should be, then it will be fascinating to see how Branthwaite fares against some of the best forwards in world football. A strong performance could cement his place in Southgate’s thinking moving forward, while any mistakes or struggles will provide valuable learning experiences that can only aid his development in the long run.
Everton’s Defensive Lynchpin
Whatever happens during this international break, there is no doubt that Branthwaite will return to Everton as one of the most important players in Sean Dyche’s squad for the remainder of the season.
The Toffees have been in relegation trouble for much of the campaign, but recent wins over Brentford and Leeds United have given them some breathing space above the bottom three. Branthwaite’s performances at the back have been crucial to those victories, with his partnership with Tarkowski providing a solid foundation for the team to build on.
If Everton are to secure their Premier League status for another year, then they will need Branthwaite to maintain his current level of form and continue to lead by example at the heart of defense. His presence and leadership qualities belie his tender years, and he has quickly become a fans’ favorite at Goodison Park thanks to his committed displays and never-say-die attitude.
A Bright Future Ahead
Regardless of how he fares on international duty this month, it is clear that Jarrad Branthwaite has a very bright future ahead of him both for club and country.
His rapid rise to prominence at Everton has been one of the few bright spots in a challenging season for the club, and his call-up to the England squad is testament to just how highly he is rated within the game. If he can continue on his current trajectory, then there is no reason why he cannot go on to become one of the best defenders in Europe over the coming years.
For now though, Branthwaite will be fully focused on making the most of his opportunity with England and trying to help Everton secure their Premier League status between now and May. If he can do both of those things, then it will cap off what has been a remarkable breakthrough season for one of English football’s most exciting young talents.
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