Jarrad Branthwaite has had to be patient for opportunities in the Premier League – but is starting to make an impact at Everton.
The defender, who had a loan spell at Rovers during the 2020/21 campaign, has made four appearances in the top flight this season and caught the eye during the 3-1 win at Brentford over the weekend.
Branthwaite has had his fair share of injury setbacks, including damaged ankle ligaments that cut short his time at Ewood Park, but the future looks bright for the Cumbrian.
“He missed a couple of weeks to get fully fit and sharp, which would have been valuable because you are trying to get to know a player and then he has got to adapt to the Premier League,” Everton boss Sean Dyche told The Athletic. “But he’s doing a very good job.
“I spoke to him while he was away and when he came back. There are some things I am working with him on - the sharpness in the box and smelling danger and those sorts of things that come with experience, when you are out there and maturing as a player.
“What I have been pleased with is the adaptation from a different league. I spoke to him and said there would be an adjustment period. When you are new to it, you learn as you go.
“He is doing a good job. He has got a very strong centre-half next to him in Tarky (James Tarkowski), and Myko (Vitalii Mykolenko) was very good.
“Youngy (Ashley Young) is a very experienced player. That rubbing-off, and older guys playing next to younger guys will hopefully help that development.”
Defensive partner Tarkowski has also been impressed with what he has seen from Branthwaite in recent weeks.
“He is calm, technically very good, physical, has size and is quick. He has got everything to go to the very top of the game, especially for his age,” he added.
“I didn’t see too much of him last season, so this was my first real look and I have been really impressed.”
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