Pat Nevin urges Chelsea to sign ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ Premier League star

Pat Nevin has urged his former club Chelsea to sign ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ Premier League star Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton.

England international Branthwaite has established himself as one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

Branthwaite came close to joining Manchester United in the last summer transfer window, with the Red Devils agreeing personal terms with him.

But a move collapsed – after United and Everton were unable to agree a fee – with reports indicating that the Toffees wanted £80m for the 22-year-old.

Nevin has now suggested that Branthwaite could take Chelsea to the next level as they look to try and become title challengers under Enzo Maresca.

‘‌Put simply, there are still weaknesses [for Chelsea] and these tend to be found out at the top level,’ former Blues winger Nevin told the BBC.

‘The central defensive partnership, whoever they use, isn’t close to the level that Arsenal and Liverpool have and you could say the same about the goalkeeper.

‘‌I just wonder if Jarrad Branthwaite could be prised from my beloved Everton, would this be close to the final piece of the jigsaw?’

Branthwaite joined Everton from Carlisle United in 2020 and has played 61 games for the Toffees to date.

It took him a while to break into the Everton XI, with loans at Blackburn Rovers and Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.

Branthwaite received his first call-up for England earlier this year and has been tipped to play at the top level by his Everton teammates.

Chelsea face a battle if they enter the transfer race to sign Branthwaite with Liverpool thought to be considering a bid in the new year.

Meanwhile, it was reported last month that United’s interest in Branthwaite has not faded after Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as their manager.