“The Quicker Branthwaite Bounces Back To Full Fitness the better…”- EVERTON Defense is in Need of Branthwaite’s PRESENCE at the Heart of The Defense. He has to REPLACE the player who has lost Possession Several times to OPPONENT This Season….

Everton’s struggles in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign have been well-documented, with the team suffering three consecutive defeats. One player who has come under scrutiny for his performances is defender Michael Keane. Despite scoring a goal against Bournemouth, Keane’s defensive display was marred by mistakes and a lack of composure.

Keane’s statistics against Bournemouth made for grim reading. He won just three of his eight total duels, lost possession ten times, and was dribbled past once. His passing was also wayward, completing only 23 of 32 attempted passes. These numbers are a concern for manager Sean Dyche, who is under pressure to turn things around.

The article suggests that Dyche should drop Keane from the starting lineup once Jarrad Branthwaite returns from injury. Branthwaite’s presence would provide a much-needed boost to the Everton defense, and his partnership with James Tarkowski could be the key to unlocking a more solid and stable backline.

Keane’s struggles are not limited to just this season. When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues over the previous 365 days, Keane ranks in the bottom 55% for blocks, clearances, and tackles per 90. He also ranks in the lowest 95% for pass completion percentage and lowest 10% for passes attempted per 90.

These statistics paint a worrying picture of Keane’s form and ability. His lack of composure and mistakes on the pitch are costing Everton dearly, and it is imperative that Dyche takes action to address this issue.

The article concludes by stating that the quicker Branthwaite returns to full fitness, the better for Everton. Dyche cannot continue to rely on Keane as one of his main centre-backs, and a change is needed to arrest the team’s slide.

In the next 3500 words, we will delve deeper into Keane’s struggles, examine the statistics in more detail, and explore the options available to Dyche to address the issue. We will also look at the impact of Branthwaite’s return on the team and how it could be the key to unlocking a more solid and stable defense.