Everton have endured a torrid campaign laden with setbacks and unrest.
However, amidst all the turmoil, one player has stood out.
Jarrad Branthwaite moved to Goodison Park under Carlo Ancelotti’s reign, as a teenage defender who had impressed for his boyhood Carlisle United.
And having progressed throughout the academy, last term saw him strut his stuff on the senior stage at last, shining on loan with PSV Eindhoven.
Completing his rise to the apex of English football with a call-up to the national team last week, it has truly been a meteoric rise.
Well, Ally McCoist has now predicted just how far he might go.
What Ally McCoist said about Jarrad Branthwaite
Speaking live on talkSPORT (25/03, 9:28 am) earlier this morning, the Scotsman was effusive in his praise for the 21-year-old ace who has soared to prominence this campaign.
Having started the season as a relative unknown to the rest of the Premier League, Evertonians were well aware of his talents.
However, few could have expected him to integrate so seamlessly into the first team under Sean Dyche, forming a fine partnership with James Tarkowski.
Having learnt so much from the experienced colossus, McCoist has now made a bold prediction for Branthwaite’s future within the England setup.
He noted: ‘He has been a breath of fresh air. We have sat here and talked about England’s problems and they have mainly been at the back and in the years to come I think that position, I will take it a step further and say there could be an England captain in there.’
Jarrad Branthwaite must start for England tomorrow night
Having been denied his first England cap last time out against Brazil, surely tomorrow night, as Gareth Southgate welcomes Belgium to Wembley, Branthwaite must start.
Especially with Harry Maguire set to be out injured, making him one of just three players who have consistently played at centre-back throughout this season.
On Saturday, after 67 minutes Southgate opted to bring off the £80m Manchester United man and replaced him with Lewis Dunk.
It was a decision that made little sense, given the 32-year-old has no future within the national team setup like Branthwaite does.
And, after McCoist’s latest comments, why not try and fast-track that development? A young, hungry, physically imposing and technically proficient titan, who boasts a coveted left foot too, must be bled into the starting side as soon as possible.
After all, he could even start this summer in the European Championships, should the manager muster up the strength to put his reputation on the line, take a risk, and see whether it pays off.
I have every faith it would.