Sport nationBBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty has expressed his surprise at England manager Gareth Southgate’s decision to overlook Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite for the starting lineup against Belgium. The friendly match, which took place on Tuesday, 26 March 2024, saw Southgate favor Lewis Dunk as a starter, a choice that McNulty found puzzling.
In his live matchday blog, McNulty highlighted the situation, questioning the rationale behind Southgate’s team selection. “Just a note on manager Gareth Southgate’s England team selection. It is a bit surprising that Lewis Dunk gets the nod ahead of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite in England manager Gareth Southgate’s starting lineup here tonight. Surely this would have been an ideal opportunity to see what the powerful young defender is made of?” McNulty wrote on 26 March at 8:00 pm.
The decision to exclude Branthwaite from playing time has raised eyebrows, especially considering the defender’s impressive performance for Everton during the season. His form at Goodison Park earned him an international call-up, but the lack of minutes on the pitch for England has left many questioning the benefit of his presence in the squad.
Branthwaite’s situation was further highlighted when he remained on the bench even after John Stones sustained an injury during the Belgium match. This continued sidelining occurred despite Branthwaite not seeing any action in England’s previous 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley on Saturday, 23 March.
Critics argue that friendly matches like these are prime opportunities for national team managers to evaluate younger talent within the squad. Southgate’s reluctance to utilize Branthwaite could be seen as a missed chance to assess the young defender’s capabilities on the international stage.
Everton’s own manager, Sean Dyche, is likely to share in the frustration, as he would have preferred Branthwaite to remain at Finch Farm for training if he was not going to be used in the national team’s fixtures. The decision not to play Branthwaite not only impacts the player’s international experience but also Everton’s planning and utilization of their squad.
As the conversation around Branthwaite’s role in the England squad continues, fans and pundits alike will be watching Southgate’s future selections closely. The hope is that talented young players like Branthwaite will be given the chance to prove themselves and contribute to the national team’s success.
In other Everton news, there has been talk of a potential takeover by 777Partners, with updates on the likelihood of this development being shared by insiders like the Esk.
For those looking to stay informed on all things Everton, including exclusive content and breaking transfer news, there are dedicated channels such as the Goodison News WhatsApp group that provide timely updates directly to fans’ phones.
As the debate over Branthwaite’s involvement with the England squad unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance national team managers must strike between fielding experienced players and nurturing the next generation of talent. The decisions made on and off the pitch can have far-reaching implications for players’ careers and the teams they represent.
Sport nation
Amina Umar