Everton: Branthwaite can be Tark 2.0

Everton recruited well over the summer, completely reshaping a defence that last season shipped 66 goals into a solid unit that is yet to concede more than two in one game so far this term.

This is mainly thanks to Conor Coady and James Tarkowski, who have added a steely resolve to an otherwise disappointing backline.

The latter was brought in on a free transfer, and has especially excelled, earning calls that he should be selected for England.

He has many years left at the top of the game for the Toffees, but as he starts to decline he could perhaps bestow his wisdom upon one of the promising youngsters from Finch Farm.

It might have to wait until next season though, as Jarrad Branthwaite is busy performing admirably for PSV Eindhoven.

Just last night he started for the Dutch giants against Arsenal in the Europa League and kept quiet Mikel Arteta’s rampant side.

Should Everton bring Jarrad Branthwaite into the first team next season?

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Maintaining a clean sheet, the 20-year-old made four clearances and two interceptions, whilst winning 100% of his duels throughout the night – earning an extremely respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.9 against an Arsenal attack that have scored 25 goals in just 11 Premier League fixtures so far this season.

He boasts a maturity far beyond his years and already has 13 senior appearances for the Toffees under his belt. His incredible physical attributes have seen him make appearances under numerous managers at Goodison Park, including the legendary Carlo Ancelotti.

Standing at 6-foot-4, one of his former bosses Steven Pressley noted: “The thing with Jarrad is, he is actually very, very quick.”

He continued to praise the defender: “The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer. And If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

This season, Tarkowski is averaging a 7.26 SofaScore rating and 5.8 clearances per game under Frank Lampard’s leadership, which is obviously a strength of his, to be in the right places at the right time.

It is clear that Branthwaite has the physical qualities to far surpass the former Burnley stalwart, and upon returning next season he could learn plenty from him and Coady to allow him to blossom into a sensational centre-back.