Club told to ‘get rid’ of Everton loanee despite claims of £15m bid

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Former Everton winger Andy Van der Meyde is not impressed by Jarrad Branthwaite with the defender on loan at PSV Eindhoven from his one-time Premier League employers. 

One Premier League loanee owed a debt of gratitude to another as PSV defeated arch rivals Ajax in the Dutch cup final recently.

Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite gifted Ajax the lead with a calamitous if unfortunate own goal on the stroke of half-time. Wolves-owned striker Fabio Silva spared his blushes, however, slamming home the vital penalty after Thorgan Hazard had cancelled out that 42^nd minute ‘OG’. 

For the most part, it must. besaid, Branthwaite has held his own at PSV. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy made no secret of his desire to retain the one-time Carlisle United youngster.

That was before he recieved his P45 on Wednesday afternoon, of course. 

Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite criticised for PSV Eindhoven form

PSV even tried and failed to sign Branthwaite permanently in January; Everton batting away a bid in the £15 million bracket. 

But Van der Meyde, who spent four rather forgettable years at Goodison Park between 2005 and 2019, believes an eight-figure sum would be wasted on a man who, while undeniably promising, has not shown himself worthy of such a price-tag.  

“If you look at the team, if you want to compete for the trophies, you really need a different defence,” former Dutch international Van der Meyde tells Veronica Offside. 

“At a certain point, (during last week’s 3-3 draw with Heereveneen) Branthwaite suddenly starts playing as a left winger. He loses the ball, and they get a corner from which a goal is scored.”

Van der Meyde goes on to make a rather unflattering comparison with Calvin Bassey; the £20 million Ajax defender who, after joining from Rangers last summer, has been labelled one of the most disappointing debutants of the 2022/23 Eredivisie season. 

“Branthwaite is PSV’s Calvin Bassey. You have to get rid of him very quickly,” he adds; arguing that the reported Manchester United target lacks the technical ability to thrive in a possession-heavy PSV side.  

“That boy should play football in England; head balls away, not cross the halfway and not interfere with the game. This is just not possible (here in Holland).”