Those on Merseyside are baffled by Jarrad Branthwaite’s omission from the England squad.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was ruled out of the squad through injury but Branthwaite has been overlooked while Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa have been selected.
“I think it is a bit early for Jarrad. He has had a fabulous season and it was good to get him on the other night,” said Gareth Southgate about the decision.
“Of course, in an ideal world, you would like lots of left-footers. But, to put him ahead of the others, I don’t think that would have been the right call at this stage.”
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England will go to this summer’s European Championship in Germany without Branthwaite, who established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season.
Branthwaite objectively had a better campaign than Dunk but it seems the Brighton captain has been given the nod because of his age and previous experience around squads. Dunk has just six England caps but Branthwaite made his debut for the Three Lions on Monday.
Evertonians are a proud bunch and they’ve expressed their dismay at the decision to omit Branthwaite, who they strongly believe should be on the plane to Germany this summer.
The aggrieved Evertonians have a point. Branthwaite was a calming presence in a turbulent season for Everton, he helped his side to record 13 clean sheets, the second-most in the league, and made more tackles, interceptions and clearances than any other player in the division.
Branthwaite is just 21 years old and his excellent performances suggest Everton have unearthed another defensive gem following the emergence of John Stones in 2014.
Stones was sold to Manchester City for £50million after spending three years at Goodison Park and Everton could export another talented centre-back to Manchester again, albeit the red side, this summer because United have been tracking the progress of Branthwaite.
United’s interest has been known to Branthwaite’s representatives for a while and the MEN recently confirmed Everton value him between £70m and £80m. That would be overpaying for a player on the back of one great season but Branthwaite’s potential is obvious.
It’s no secret that Everton’s finances are stretched and they’ve been left hamstrung by profit and sustainability rules, which saw the Toffees deducted points last season. That will help United in negotiations for Branthwaite and a bid in the region of £60m might be enough to sign him.
Southgate’s decision to leave Branthwaite out of the England squad should also help United. His price could have inflated on the back of strong performances at the tournament and a transfer would have been delayed until England had left Germany – and they can go all the way.
If Branthwaite had made the England squad, he could have been on international duty until July 14 – the date of the Euro 2024 final – and would have enjoyed a break afterwards. Instead, there’s an opportunity to sign Branthwaite for the start of pre-season and that’s an advantage.
Branthwaite is a left-footed centre-back, which increases his value, and he’d be a shrewd addition at United, providing the fee isn’t heavily inflated. He could be signed to play in central defence for the next 10 years and, naturally, his rise has been compared to Stones’ at Goodison Park.
A source close to Everton has described Branthwaite as a ‘really likeable young lad, who is popular among his peers’, and pointed out he won the club’s Players’ Player of the Season award.
Branthwaite ticks all the correct boxes for a move to Old Trafford, but the elephant in the room is there’s uncertainty around the manager, which is impacting transfer plans.
The advantages of Branthwaite being left out of the England squad in regards to negotiations and agreeing a swift deal are made redundant if United continue to dither.
Everton are under pressure to raise funds before June 30, which is the cut-off for the Premier League’s financial year, and that’s more reason to bid for Branthwaite sooner rather than later.
The United managerial situation must be clarified and serious questions will be asked if it doesn’t come on Friday. Branthwaite could be the first new face through the door if United play their cards right.