Dyche shares what he told Everton chiefs amid Branthwaite transfer speculation

Sean Dyche convinced the Goodison Park hierarchy not to sell Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, the Everton manager has said.

Speaking ahead of his Toffees side facing Manchester United on Sunday (1 December), Dyche said that not selling Branthwaite to the Red Devils despite their persistent interest was a “brave decision” by the club.

The Blues continue to value Branthwaite at £80million and above as United and other clubs circle [Daily Mail, 2 October], but Dyche backed the 22-year-old to improve further by staying at Goodison Park.

In quotes reported by the Daily Mirror (29 November), he said: “There have been some brave decisions here – not just Jarrad, there are other players here that we could have sold.

“There’s more reward in keeping these players because if you sell too many, we dilute too much. We’ve been diluting every year, so if we dilute again and again, eventually it goes wrong.

“It’s a really tough situation for clubs and particularly if you’re cash strapped.”

Everton yet to reap rewards for keeping Jarrad Branthwaite

Much of the Toffees’ summer transfer business was shaped around whether or not they would stick or twist with regards to Branthwaite’s future, with Manchester United constantly knocking at the door.

Not selling their star central defender may have made the club millions worse off, but given their £80m valuation didn’t come close to being met by the Red Devils, it’s hard to say they didn’t do the right thing.

Holding out for such a valuation looked to be a wise move at the time, but it is worth wondering how a fee in the region of £50m would have been reinvested, in a squad which desperately needs reinforcements.

Furthermore, persistent injury problems have limited Branthwaite to just five appearances this term, and therefore Dyche hasn’t been able to reap the benefits of keeping him, or the benefits of selling him so far.

As Branthwaite prepares to marshal the Everton rearguard, rather than Manchester United’s, at Old Trafford, he and Dyche will be hoping he can show the hosts just what they’re missing out on.

In other Everton news, an update has been shared on the odds of one loanee completing a permanent move to Goodison Park.

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