Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker are two pundits who very often go out of their way to compliment Everton when they do something right.
And whilst that might not be as often as fans would like, it is always refreshing to see positivity surrounding the Toffees posted in the media when relevant.
One such lightning rod for acclaim of late has naturally been Jarrad Branthwaite, given the exceptional displays that the 21-year-old centre-back has managed all season.
He, alongside Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gana Gueye and more have shone this campaign, but naturally, those aforementioned pundits have sought to hone in solely on the young defender for now.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker both agree on Everton star
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast just yesterday, the Match of the Day stars were unanimous when discussing that one particular Everton star.
And whilst there were so many to laud after the campaign they had just endured, inexplicably coming out the other side of two points deductions unscathed, they singled in on one young man.
This has been Branthwaite’s real big breakthrough campaign in the Premier League, having already made a handful of scattered appearances beforehand.
A loan spell at PSV Eindhoven allowed him to truly flourish during the 2022/23 season, and he quickly translated all he had learnt to become one of the English top-flight’s paramount defenders.
Lineker sought to recognise this, and whilst he rather conclusively suggested that Cole Palmer was the Young Player of the Year, Everton’s 21-year-old star deserved some credit: ‘Jarrad Branthwaite. 35 games in a first season is quite something, and I think he’s got a lot of potential. He’s got a terrific attitude. I think he’s been superb or Everton.’
Shearer would concur: ‘I think it’s been a great learning experience for him this season. He’s gone up against some of the best in Haaland and once or twice he’s been done, but nothing has phased him. He kept on coming back all the time and another one who should be very proud of himself.’
Jarrad Branthwaite will fetch a record-breaking transfer sum
If Everton sell Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, as many outlets are suggesting they will have to, at the very least it will be for a record-breaking sum.
Sean Dyche, Kevin Thelwell and the fanbase can take some solace from that piece of regretful information.
In their history, only three players that the Toffees have sold have commanded a fee of £50m or more: John Stones, Richarlison and Romelu Lukaku.
Somehow, given their abysmal financial position, they all came within the last seven years.
However, Branthwaite would almost certainly surpass all three for a number of reasons.
Firstly, he is English. It shouldn’t command a premium, but in today’s inflated market, it does.
Secondly, he is a left-footed centre-back, which again is a precious commodity nowadays.
Thirdly, and most importantly, the £35k-a-week star is just a truly exceptional footballer for his age, thus explaining Branthwaite’s reported price tag of £100m that the club have slapped on him.
With Romelu Lukaku still their record departure, leaving in a£75m move to Manchester United back in 2017, at the very least the club could hopefully use what funds they do gain from Branthwaite’s sale, should it go through, to wisely restructure the club to a position of renewed sustainability.