Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad is set to make Jarrad Branthwaite ‘consider his future’ after the Everton star was snubbed by the new England boss.
Branthwaite was a shock omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad after making his international debut against Bosnia last June, and has continued to be overlooked by the senior team.
The 22-year-old broke into the Everton squad at the beginning of last season following an impressive loan spell at PSV under Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and has been crucial for the Toffees ever since.
The 6’5 defender has 19 clean sheets to his name over the last two Premier League seasons, and was a key target for Man United over the summer with Everton rejecting multiple bids for the defender.
Despite Branthwaite’s Premier League form, he still only has one senior cap to his name, and according to Sky Sports the latest snub from St Georges Park will force the centre back to assess his options.
The report states that Man City, Liverpool, and Spurs have been tracking Branthwaite this season while United remain interested.
Real Madrid are also believed to have sent scouts to watch the England U21 international, with Carlo Ancelotti handing him his first start for Everton back in 2020.
Branthwaite has just over two years left on his Everton deal, with the Merseyside club having an option to extend the deal for an extra year.
Jarrad Branthwaite captaining England U21s vs Portugal- getty
Speaking following the squad announcement, David Moyes revealed his surprise to the decision to leave Branthwaite with Lee Carsley in the U21 squad.
“I don’t pick the England squad, so I can only say if you’re looking at the last six or seven weeks Jarrad Branthwaite would be up there playing as well as any English centre-half in the country,” he told the media.
“But the big thing he needs to do? Go and play for England Under-21s and be the best player again, and then he gets selected again.
Moyes added: “That’s the instructions I’ve been giving him – go and show what you can do for the 21s and Lee Carsley will pass good information back to the manager and hopefully it will get you back in.”
