David Moyes accepts Jarrad Branthwaite comparison as Man City interested in Everton star

David Moyes accepts Jarrad Branthwaite comparison as Man City interested in Everton star

David Moyes believes centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is set for a big future - just like another starlet from his first stint at Everton

Jarrad Branthwaite and John Stones of England walk to a training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 25, 2024 (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images )

David Moyes said he could see similarities between Jarrad Branthwaite and John Stones as Everton brace for interest in the centre-back over the summer. The Blues boss was full of praise for Branthwaite ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest, describing him as “a big talent” after watching him play a key role since his return to the club in January.

Moyes is insistent the club “holds the cards” over the towering defender, having signed him to a new deal at the start of last season. Everton’s new-found financial stability will also strengthen their position should bids materialise from the interest in him.

‌

But pragmatism will be a watchword of the sustainable rebuild Moyes and new owners The Friedkin Group want to oversee and, with the club’s proximity to the limits of Profit and Sustainability Regulations still influencing the approach until the new football financial year begins on July 1, a serious bid for their most promising talent could test their resolve in the early days of the summer transfer window.

‌

On the talent of the 22-year-old England international, Moyes said: “I think he's a young centre-back who's done remarkable things in the early part of his career. I still think he has got lots and lots of development, which you would expect from a young centre-half - lots of the centre-halves don't get better until they're maybe 26 and the latter stage of their career.

“I think that he's got some incredibly good attributes - good stature, quick, good on the ball, so a lot of those things. But there's other parts to defending, you need to get your positions right, body position right, you know, reading the game. I think he's doing really well, I do. I think he is a big talent with lots of developments still to come.”

‌

Branthwaite’s future is already the subject of interest as the summer approaches. Last season, Manchester United submitted two bids for the defender - the biggest for around £45m, but were rebuffed by the Blues. Manchester City are understood to be among the clubs now tracking the former Carlisle United man.

Moyes was asked about whether Branthwaite bore similarities with Stones, who Moyes signed for Everton. He was later sold to Man City, where he has gone on to win multiple Premier League titles as well as the Champions League and other silverware.

Moyes said: “I think that Jarrad's bigger, quicker than John. John was really good on the ball, and also played a couple of positions at the time, played at full-back. I'm not saying that Jarrad hasn't played left-back, but he played full-back and he played in the midfield for Barnsley before we signed him as well. But it's quite a good comparison. There's a lot of similarities, but they are not identical players.”

Article continues below

Branthwaite has the talent to become a pivotal player in Moyes' Everton rebuild. The Scot has regularly spoken of the importance of Declan Rice to his ability to take West Ham United from a relegation fight to European success and Branthwaite could be a similar talismanic figure who grows in stature with the club.

Another battle for his signature could unfold this summer, however, a threat Moyes is aware of. While the club is understood to be in a much healthier financial position, the consequence of the previous spending of recent years still casts a shadow over the PSR calculations for the current football financial year.

While there is confidence the Blues will get through the regulatory process, a substantial fee for someone like Branthwaite could banish any remaining concern while also opening up the potential for a more extensive squad overhaul from July 1, when the club's PSR outlook is due to significantly improve.

Click here to read article