Alan Stubbs has just issued a LIVE VERDICT on who Everton’s biggest ‘JEWEL’ is…
Everton’s season thus far has been littered with a new crop of heroes, seemingly set to surpass anything they have achieved in the last few years.
Having battled the drop now for far too long, this campaign threatened to be the one where they finally fell into the Championship. After all, the 2021/22 season saw them survive by four points; a figure that would drop to just two points last term.
However, those who expected the worst likely did not account for Sean Dyche to work his magic on the squad so quickly, having revitalised a club that seemed destined for many more years of misery.
His work in propelling the Toffees to seven points clear of the relegation zone, after a ten-point deduction too, has been miraculous.
Well, Alan Stubbs has now sought to detail the stars which are deserving of the most credit, unsurprisingly settling on Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a fine breakthrough year thus far at Goodison Park, with a former Everton centre-back now speaking live on talkSPORT (19/12/2023, 8:52 am) about what makes him so special.
He noted: ‘I think the biggest plus, and I don’t really want to give him too much praise because there’s already a lot of people looking, but Jarrad Branthwaite has been absolutely outstanding.
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‘He has really been the jewel this season I must admit, his performances have been nothing short of fantastic for such a young lad coming into the team.’
How good has Jarrad Branthwaite been for Everton this season?
It is hard to quantify just how good Branthwaite has been for Everton this season, given how most of Dyche’s squad boast sparkling statistics to indicate they have enjoyed fine years thus far.
However, the panic that ensued when people realised he would be absent for Saturday’s game at Burnley was enough to showcase just how highly-thought-of he is by his fanbase.
Although they navigated that clash with relative ease, his return to action tonight will be richly welcomed, as they stare down a fine opportunity to reach the EFL Cup semi-final.
Branthwaite’s performance is certain to be integral in any success they earn, with the hope that the £35k-per-week titan can replicate his Premier League performances in their bid for silverware.
After all, he is averaging a 7.05 average rating thus far, with that figure upheld by his 1.8 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 5.1 clearances and 6.9 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
Stubbs was merely uttering what the bulk of Everton fans have been saying all season, with his effusive praise the latest in a long line of adulation the defender has earned.
