A Premier League player Manchester City have reportedly been tracking has won his club’s Young Player and Player’s Player of the Season awards, sending a potential message to Pep Guardiola.
City finished the 2023/24 campaign as Premier League champions, and the club could follow that up with the FA Cup this weekend.
That would constitute another very successful season, but the likelihood is that Pep will want to strengthen his side once again in the summer.
Rivals will be trying to close the gap, and it’ll be important for City to try and stay ahead of the pack.
One player City have been linked with this year is Jarrad Branthwaite, the central defender from Everton. Branthwaite was a regular starter this season at Goodison Park, returning to the club after a loan spell with PSV Eindhoven last term.
Branthwaite – described by Micah Richards as ‘exceptional’ – caught the eye with some impressive displays, leading to speculation about his future.
He was so good, that he has actually just been named Everton’s Young Player of the Season…
Man City target Jarrad Branthwaite wins Everton’s Young Player and Players’ Player of the Season awards
Manchester City’s interest in Branthwaite was first reported back in October, with Manchester United also looking at the 21-year-old.
Shortly after this interest was reported, Branthwaite actually signed a new contract at Everton. But the speculation has never really stopped.
In March, it was claimed City would have to fork out around £60 million this summer if they wanted to sign Branthwaite, who has just been called into Gareth Southgate’s pre-Euro 2024 England squad.
Branthwaite definitely had a top season, and today Everton revealed that he has won their fan-voted Young Player of the Season award.
In addition to that, Branthwaite also scooped the Players’ Player of the Season award.
Branthwaite is a serious prospect
So Branthwaite has picked up two end-of-season awards at Everton, in what is potentially a big message to Pep Guardiola.
The youngster was fantastic at the back for the Toffees and without him and James Tarkowski being as good as they were, Everton may well have dropped into the Championship.
Branthwaite has enormous potential, and seems to have all the attributes required of a modern-day central defender.
He has already drawn comparisons to City star John Stones, which you would imagine is a big reason why Pep likes the player.
It remains to be seen if City will attempt to sign him this summer. You would imagine that there is not a pressing need right now, with Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol and Stones a fantastic pool of options.
If he does not move elsewhere this summer, perhaps City will consider a move in 2025.