Jarrad Branthwaite, the promising Everton defender, is expected to reassess his future with the club after being omitted from Thomas Tuchel's inaugural England squad. It’s no surprise then that Branthwaite has been one of the most coveted players by top clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur already this season. He has arrived at a pivotal moment in his professional journey. With scouts from Real Madrid keeping a close eye on him, and Manchester United maintaining their interest, Branthwaite's prospects are under intense scrutiny.
The 21-year-old defender remains an integral member of Lee Carsley’s England U21s squad. He was, perhaps most surprisingly of all, left out of the senior side altogether for the recent matches against Albania and Latvia. He earned an England cap under former manager Gareth Southgate. Nonetheless, his exclusion has sparked speculation over the defender’s long-term intentions with Everton. The former England U21 international currently has a deal with the Merseyside outfit running a little over two years. He further holds the power to renew it for an additional year. The lack of clarity about his international future and interest from top clubs might affect what happens next.
It’s understandable then, that Everton don’t want to lose Branthwaite in the long-term. They’d be willing to negotiate new terms with him. The club recognizes his potential and contribution to the team and hopes to retain him amid growing interest from other European giants. Branthwaite has already demonstrated a willingness to extend his contract further, reflecting a strong desire to remain on campus and continue the relationship in the future.
On Friday, Branthwaite made his first appearance in competitive football – coming off the bench as England U21 succumbed to a 5-3 loss against France. This inclusion is an indication of his continued importance to the youth setup as part of a shadow squad underneath Lee Carsley. Tuchel’s squad absence might trigger Branthwaite to reconsider his own career trajectory. It would be a missed opportunity, but he could still use this moment to pursue many other opportunities that fit his ambitions, at home and abroad.
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