Branthwaite playing pivotal role for relegation-threatened Toffees

Jarrad Branthwaite has been a revelation for Everton this season.

Alongside James Tarkowski, the centre-back is part of a defence with the fourth best record in the Premier League.

And that resilience will be crucial for a team in the thick of a relegation battle after a 10-point deduction.

Ahead of tonight's clash with Crystal Palace, we look at Branthwaite's emergence as one of the English top flight's best defenders.

Stepping up

Branthwaite had made just a handful of appearances for Everton before this term, spending the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

After starring in the Eredivisie, he earned an opportunity to impress Toffees boss Sean Dyche and has not looked back since.

The Carlisle native has started 21 of Everton's 24 league games so far this season, growing more confident and assured with each match.

Going into this Matchday, he ranked fifth in the Premier League for interceptions (35) and ninth for headed clearances (49).

As is the requirement in a Dyche team, Branthwaite is a no-nonsense defender and unafraid of putting his head where it hurts.

His combination of bravery and positional awareness has seen Everton keep seven clean from his 21 appearances, with 27 goals conceded in those games.

Plenty of admirers

Inevitably, Branthwaite's impressive performances have led to rumours of interest from some of the division's biggest clubs.

At 21, he looks set for an exciting future in the Premier League if he continues on his current trajectory.

Some improvement and adaptation might be required along the way, of course — his pass completion rate of 78.7% suggests he is not entirely comfortable playing out from the back.

But as an out-and-out defender few have looked as accomplished this season.

In an interview with The Athletic, Everton assistant Ian Woan said: "He [Branthwaite] has got all the attributes. He's 6ft 5in, quick and a lefty, which gives you a natural balance on that side.

"He's still learning — a young centre-back will make mistakes — but he wants to learn and comes into the analysts' room. He wants information and will ask questions.

"You can see he's maturing. He's playing alongside Tarks [Tarkowski] and has got England's No1 [Jordan Pickford] behind him. That's a nice little triangle to be in."

Staying focused

Amid links to the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham, Everton will want to ensure Branthwaite keeps his feet on the ground.

There has also been talk of a potential England call-up for the Toffees' No32 — but his immediate priority will be to help keep his club in the Premier League.

Back in December, he said: "Last season was massive for me, going out and developing and I felt I had the belief coming back into the training ground that I was good enough to play.

"It was about staying patient and I think I did that at the start of the season when I didn't play but the manager has given me a chance which I'm grateful for and I hope I'm repaying him with the performances.

"It's about taking it game-by-game — you can't predict anything, so it's just about keeping the momentum going and taking it into the next game."