‘Can be a fantastic player for us’: Carlo Ancelotti blown away by 6ft 4in Everton gem

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has waxed lyrical about Toffees youngster Jarrad Branthwaite for an impressive performance at Goodison Park on Thursday (evertontv).

The 18-year-old defender became the Italian’s first signing at Everton back in January when he joined the Toffees from Carlisle United for a reported £750,000 fee.

Branthwaite initially linked up with the club’s Under-23s but his impressive performances in training, combined with a number of defensive injuries, have pushed him into first-team contention.

The youngster has made the bench for Everton’s first five games after the restart before getting 45 minutes under his belt in the 3-0 loss to Wolves.

In the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, Branthwaite was called upon once again following Mason Holgate’s 16th-minute substitution due to injury, and settled into the match right away.

The 6ft 4in gem weighed in with numerous tackles and headers, and looked right at home playing in a Premier League fixture for a team hoping to go right to the top in the coming years.

“I am really happy with him, he is really young, a kid,” Ancelotti told the Everton media team. “But he showed quality and personality and character.

“He is really calm with the ball, really comfortable, and really aggressive without the ball. He can be a fantastic player for us.

“The squad is really young but to compete we have to improve quickly. You have to show character and personality, then you can improve quicker.”

TBR View:

Branthwaite endured a baptism of fire against the rampant Wolves front line last week but, in just his second Premier League appearance, was much improved.

For Ancelotti to praise Branthwaite so highly after the game will delight not only the player but also the fans, who will be pleased that the Toffees may just have unearthed a real gem.

Of course, it’s better not to place too much responsibility on a young player’s shoulders too soon, but Branthwaite is certainly at the right club with the right setup and the right coaches to progress and succeed.