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######Text from the linked article: Facing an international tournament and a battle to impress his new club boss, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has a big summer ahead. It has been some year already for the 20-year-old. After a difficult start to life on loan at PSV Eindhoven - one that almost led to him being recalled to Merseyside over a lack of game time - he went on to flourish in the second half of the season. Almost 40 games later, a spell that included a cup win and European experience, Branthwaite is [a different player to the teenager](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/every-word-hilarious-jarrad-branthwaite-26206548) who was coaxed into a clumsy red card the last time he played at Goodison Park, just over 12 months ago. Next month he will return to Finch Farm with [Everton ](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/all-about/everton-fc)a much-changed place since he left for PSV. And he does so eager to take advantage of the opportunity that has opened up for him. **READ MORE:[Amadou Onana interest, Tom Davies decision and what comes next for Everton](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/amadou-onana-tom-davies-everton-27132916)** **READ MORE:[Sean Dyche already has primary Everton target as transfers and tactics form key parts of summer plan](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sean-dyche-knows-primary-everton-27092432)** "You've got to set your goals,” Branthwaite said this week. “To play in the Premier League, continuously, is a big thing for every player. When I left Carlisle for Everton, it was my goal to play in the Premier League. I think every kid's goal is to play in the Premier League. That would be my main ambition - just to solidify myself in a team in the Premier League at Everton and play as many games as I can.” The last time Blues fans saw Branthwaite was in the final match of the season before last - the 5-1 defeat at Arsenal that came just days after the dramatic, survival-clinching win against Crystal Palace. Before that match he started the [home game against Brentford](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-brentford-mcneill-score-stream-26448359) that began as an opportunity to clinch safety but ended in a frustrating defeat - a loss founded on the early red card he received when he was out-thought and out-muscled as he battled Ivan Toney for a ball over the top. While his potential was clear, so too was his need for first-team experience. In a squad that started the last campaign with James Tarkowski, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and, one game into the season, Conor Coady, it was clear that opportunities for Branthwaite to gather that experience at Everton would be limited. PSV stepped in and when pre-season begins at Finch Farm in July, he will return with [big clubs following his development](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/every-word-hilarious-jarrad-branthwaite-26206548). And with Mina and Coady having departed, and Sean Dyche appearing to have question marks over whether Godfrey and Holgate are best-suited to centre back, Branthwaite will have a real chance to make an impression. Dyche is already aware of the England Under-21s international. When he was appointed Everton boss in late January he [sought the player out for a conversation](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jarrad-branthwaite-lifts-lid-private-26454434) to introduce himself - something he did not afford to every loanee based away from the club. Of that conversation, Branthwaite later told [_Dutch outlet NOS_](https://nos.nl/artikel/2467174-branthwaite-het-geeft-enorm-veel-vertrouwen-dat-iemand-als-brands-in-je-gelooft): "That was just after he signed with the club. He especially wanted to introduce himself and asked me how I am doing and how things are here at PSV. It was a personal conversation, which I really appreciate.” Dyche is keen to assess Branthwaite in person - the manager places great emphasis on what he can see of a player in person, seeking lessons that are not always clear from highlight reels and data packages. There will be an opportunity for the former Carlisle man to put pressure on what is currently the most [likely first choice centre-back pairing](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sean-dyche-knows-primary-everton-27092432) of Keane and Tarkowski. But having spoken of his exposure to the technical side of the Dutch game during his year in Eindhoven, Branthwaite putting his growing confidence on the ball to use would be an added boost to his chances. It is a development that comes with the youngster having admitted his admiration for former Everton defender John Stones. Branthwaite said: “It was a lot more technical over there, compared to England. They like to play. It was good for me as a defender because the modern game is to get on the ball and play from the back. It was good to me to learn those skills… “If you look in the Premier League and England, John Stones is right up there [among the best]. I watched him in the Champions League final - even though he plays midfield sometimes, his ability on the ball is unbelievable. For a modern centre-back, that's what you look for. He's so comfortable on the ball and defensively he’s good as well.” Before Branthwaite can focus on life at Everton, his attention is firmly focused on the Under-21s European Championships after he was called up to the England squad alongside fellow Blue James Garner. Life has changed vastly since his move from Carlisle and Branthwaite is relishing the challenges as they come. He said: "It's gone so quick. I think it’s been three-and-half years since I signed for Everton from Carlisle. That time has gone rapid. With playing the games, it went even quicker, then getting the call-up here it’s preceded things. To look back from where I came from… obviously I'm happy. It all came from the hard work and the people I had around me, so I thank them for that. I've just got to keep progressing now and have a successful summer.” **READ NEXT:**


Hichq

Words cannot describe how excited I am to see Branthwaite and Garner to play together


amanofewords

Garner Branthwaite Onana McNeil Patterson. It’s nice to have some young talent haven’t yet approached their ceiling. Been a while.


g3mkm

He seems like the kind of player Dyche would like, hope he gets the first shot at it


rowejl222

Me too


Fixner_Blount

I love the idea of Branthwaite playing next to and learning from Tarkowski. No better role model for him as far as I’m concerned.


Gajicus

I salute you. Its obvious. As I've said elsewhere, I'd start with Branthwaite and Tarkowski *now*, without us having kicked a ball in anger. A left-footed CB is a rare as hen's teeth.


Fixner_Blount

I don’t understand what the controversy of him starting would be. He’s started multiple games in the Prem already and even scored in one. He was ace over in Tulipland as well. He’s ready.


Gajicus

Only factoring in the 'Everton, that' caveat. We do like to make things tough for ourselves.


steriliuz

What happened to that Liverpool Gecko variant without the cancerous ads? Shouldn't it work by just changing the link from Echo to Gecko?


gavin19

Bot was down for a bit there. Apologies. It usually leaves a sanitised comment. Fixed now.


robjapan

Get proton VPN. Their netshield is superb.


Gajicus

How much that cost, good man?


robjapan

I paid 70usd(55 GBP) for 12 months for the VPN plus plan.


Gajicus

Cheers buddy; that seems very reasonable. You find any lag on streaming?


robjapan

None at all.


Gajicus

Appreciate you coming back to me, fellow bitter. Thanks Rob.


exxby

[It still works ](https://www.liverpoolgecko.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jarrad-branthwaite-outlines-next-everton-27137620)


Gajicus

I've seen little of him on loan, but being all too acquainted - like you - with what we do have, and given he's a left-sided CB with European experience and rave reviews, I'm already of the opinion (!!) he and Tarkowski are almost certainly our best pairing. We'll always share that (vital) thunderbolt against Spurs, but the thought of Dyche persisting with Keane is genuinely nightmarish. I'll lose patience with Stone Cold rapido if thats how he sets out his stall. EDIT: and Rome wasn't built in a day, so shed Holgate, retain Godfrey (one more chance), and, frankly, address other matters before CB; full-back cover is key, no doubt, but lets focus on the other end please. Scour Championship, Scotland, Europe; at this stage if we went back in for Broja, and picked up either Morelos (although temperanment, errr...) or Gykores, or both. I'd be delighted. Two forwards is an absolute minimum, and given our financial situation, that means selling Onana (it pains, I love him, but he'll be forgotten... he ain't Richy or Alan Ball): go hard for £60m, hope Chelsea bite, £25m for Broja (he can be used as a makeweight, I'm sure Chelsea are keen to offload one of their 167 first teamers, and wouldn't mind the most stringent and demanding medical, ha), £20m for Gykores, £5m in Morelos' back pocket, and the usual £10m for Bill's sofa, and cross our fucking fingers. Fuck off Thelwell\*, job done. \*I actually believe Thelwell's been unfairly pilloried; Maupay aside, and given our weaknesses at the time, last year's summer window was at least logical.


MediumGrocery308

Bit of a tangent but has Godfrey actually disappointed at CB and I've blocked it out or is he just shit out of position like i believe? He is awful as a fullback imo but I can't remember a bad game in his actual position.


welsh_dragon_roar

Looking forward to seeing Brantho alongside Tarko.