Everton struck gold by signing their “absolute monster” for just £1m

Even though Everton had a difficult few months due to off-field problems that cost them ten points, manager Sean Dyche has performed wonders this season and the Toffees are still in a strong position to stay in the Premier League. The team is now only one point below Luton Town in 18th position. On the other hand, the Toffees would be safely out of the drop zone and sitting in 12th place if they hadn’t been punished for their FFP violation.

Due to the ongoing financial issues at Goodison Park, Dyche is able to work closely with his players and provide some of the younger Everton players with greater opportunity to play in the first team. Youssef Chermiti, Nathan Patterson, and Lewis Dobbin have all benefited from this season, as the three have already accrued significant Premier League playing time.

But thus far this season, Jarrad Branthwaite has been the standout player for Everton. He has started 20 of the team’s 23 Premier League games, surpassing the number of appearances he had in 2021–2022.

The fee Everton paid for Jarrad Branthwaite

Remarkably, Branthwaite left Carlisle United for Everton in 2020 for a reported fee of £1 million. But he was only 17 when he signed with the team, and before he made an impression at Goodison, he spent time on loan and with the U23s. During the second half of the 2020–21 season, the center defender went on loan to Blackburn Rovers, where he played ten games before heading to Europe on a loan that accelerated his first-team career.

The 6-foot-4 central defender signed a loan deal with PSV Eindhoven for the duration of the 2022–2023 season in order to foster the growth of the English youth. For the Dutch powerhouse, Branthwaite made 36 appearances across all competitions. He scored four goals in a season that propelled him into Everton’s starting lineup.

Branthwaite was described as “a very complete defender” and “great talent” by former PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy during his time in the Netherlands. The young player has continued to show excellent form in the North-West of England this season.

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