'I'd be a little worried' - Broadcaster View: Everton star's head might have been turned

Jarrad Branthwaite may have had his head turned in the summer but Ian Darke says his injury is to blame for a lack of sharpness for Everton.

Branthwaite was out for an extended period and made just his third league start of the season last time out against Brentford.

TV commentator Darke, speaking exclusively to Goodison News, has analysed Branthwaite’s situation and cast an eye on some of the 22-year-old’s fellow defenders from the Toffees squad.

“I’d be a little worried on the Branthwaite situation – with his injury he’s looked a bit off the pace compared to before. Of course, his head might have been turned a little bit in the summer by Manchester United, but you’d like to think his lack of sharpness has been down to a lack of game time,” Darke said.

“I’d keep him and [James] Tarkowski as the number one pairing going forward. Ashley Young is a terrific model professional with the level of conditioning and dedication required for the Premier League. You can only really look at players like Luka Modric in Europe as outfielders of this age.

“[Vitaliy] Mykolenko, in the Premier League, is fringe level. They could do with a left-back as good as Leighton Baines again, when they were consistently finishing in the top eight.”

Everton keeping clean sheets with Jarrad Branthwaite back

The sharpness of Branthwaite may be an easy factor to bring up, but he is far from the issue – especially when being compared to his stunning form last season.

The young centre-half worked his way into the England squad and is now regaining his feet following an absence with a groin injury, as Tarkowski predominantly partnered Michael Keane to varying success.

Young, who turns 40 next July, alongside Mykolenko have played 10 Premier League games apiece, while summer signing Jake O’Brien has barely featured and captain Seamus Coleman has been out injured.

Branthwaite is certainly delivering on his own objectives despite the lack of superlatives to describe the recent goalless draws with West Ham United [9 November] and Brentford [23 November].

The Toffees appear more assured with Jordan Pickford behind them, who has made some key interventions this season to keep the side afloat.

A trip to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United is next up [1 December], with Branthwaite potentially set to inadvertently put himself back in the shop window.

In other Everton news, club insiders have defended the reign of Frank Lampard which has often been written off.

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