Jarrad Branthwaite is working hard to build resilience and looks set to be fit to start pre-season with Everton, providing a significant injury boost for the club. The 23-year-old centre-back has been diligent in his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, which ended his season prematurely.
Branthwaite's Absence Felt at Everton
Branthwaite and Jack Grealish, Everton's two most influential players, did not play together at any point last season. This reality held significance given the threadbare nature of the Blues squad. Grealish's injury was a turning point in the season, while Branthwaite's setback against Liverpool signalled a momentum shift in the run-in. The sight of Branthwaite being stretchered off was an ordeal for everyone associated with the Blues, and the life drained from the hunt for Europe after that moment.
Recovery Progress and Pre-Season Plans
Despite the injury being to the same hamstring that had caused him to miss the first half of the campaign, early weeks of the summer have lent credence to the hope that it was not a serious blow. Branthwaite, like his team-mates not involved in the World Cup, has been on holiday this month, but he has maintained his diligence in relation to his recovery, going so far as to take a physio with him for the opening days of a recent holiday. There is confidence the defender will be able to start pre-season with the Blues, a major boost for a club that needs him to anchor the team as it searches for progress next season.
Impact on Everton's Squad
According to Joe Thomas, a fit Branthwaite would be a gamechanger for David Moyes. His pace and presence at the back allow the side to play further forward while Vitalii Mykolenko and James Tarkowski's best displays tend to be around the former Carlisle United man. The arrival of a genuine right-back would also open up the potential to pair him with Jake O’Brien, a partnership that has the potential to become one of the best around. Aside from his defensive capabilities, Branthwaite’s ability to break out from the back, carry the ball forward and find a pass is also a bonus to a side that can struggle to break the lines.
Future-Proofing Branthwaite
The focus of his latest recovery has included trying to future-proof him from the frustrating issues that have hampered him over the past two seasons. That will mean making sure he isn’t put under too much pressure, too soon. But the early signs are good, providing a route to some valuable positive news for the club and supporters. Everton need to do wider business this summer, but the prospect of Branthwaite and Grealish operating together is a tantalising one. After the disappointing end to last season, the Blues will need to provide their supporters with early signs of progress and competence when pre-season begins, and the sight of Branthwaite in and around the team is an easy win everyone would love to take advantage of.
