According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite could yet be loaned out before Friday’s EFL transfer deadline.
It’s claimed that Branthwaite could move on this week in order to further his development away from Goodison Park.
Why it could happen
Branthwaite is just 18, and only had 19 first-team appearances to his name in his whole career, having joined Everton after just 14 games at Carlisle.
Yes, Branthwaite impressed in his four Everton games at the end of last season, but he is still very raw and could benefit massively from a Championship loan move.
The signing of Ben Godfrey will hamper his playing time at Everton, and Branthwaite now finds himself behind Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, new signing Godfrey and the soon-to-return Mason Holgate in the pecking order.
Branthwaite has shown that he is a real talent for the future, and getting him games – even if only for the first half of the season – could be valuable.
Why it won’t happen
The main argument against a move right now is that Branthwaite is still injured having damaged ankle ligaments against Salford City last month.
The 6ft 5in defender is expected to be ruled out for another couple of weeks yet, and sending him away before he has fully recovered could be something of a gamble.
Holgate isn’t back from injury yet either, and he could yet suffer a setback, meaning keeping Branthwaite around as depth could be important, even if Everton re-assess the situation in January.
Jamie Carragher branded Branthwaite ‘excellent’ back in July, summing up the talent he has, and staying to train under Carlo Ancelotti could be just as valuable to his development as a loan move.
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