Branthwaite on City's radar

Unless it’s relatively silly money, we’ll be keeping him - I hope.

Seems a very decent prospect albeit very young and still learning.

I reckon most at 6'-5" would get looked at – that height's a rare commodity.

£14 million should get him.

Will # 2 - he also has pace. It would be a big mistake to sell this lad.

I like Branthwaite because he has everything you want in a centre-half. Frank should ease him into the team this season for some experience and guide him.

To sell him is just plain silly when it's clear we are gonna get ripped off trying to buy players we can't afford this year. There's a couple of players who have let us down in that role so let's try to offload at least one of them instead.

Branthwaite is a cultured centre-back in the John Stones mould – in spite of his giant frame. I agree that we should keep him and slowly ease him into a permanent starting role.

He still has a lot to learn, as that Brentford red card incident showed, but he has the potential to be a top-class centre-back, provided he can stay fit and clear of injuries.

For me, we've got to keep him, and give him a proper run. Fast, strong, tall, and naturally left-footed, means that he should be ahead of any of the current centre-backs for that left-centre-back position in a flat back four this year. Could be really dominant alongside a Mina as he really matures into a man this year.

For me, the bigger question should be: Which one of Godfrey, Holgate or Keane should be moved on? With the athletic 6ft 5in Reece Welch coming through too, at least one of these should go to make space for Welch and a new left-footed centre-back.

If we could replace Mina with a fitter version of his dominant self, that'd be ideal, but just can't see any takers for him with that injury record.

Is he fast Gary? Admittedly, I've not seen a lot of him, but pace isn't something I have seen.

I don't mind lack of pace as long as the player can think ahead and compensate to counter for that. Something Michael Keane has regular lapses in.

I like Branthwaite, but I'm not sure pace is part of his game.

Branthwaite is the fastest in the squad after Calvert-Lewin, I think.

He would be a likely heir to Laporte over time but wouldn't get many games – and would compete with Harwood-Bellis and Doyle who are already on their books.

Personally I think Man Utd is a likelier destination because Ten Hag will want to build a young British core ideally and (as I said with Brennan Johnson) there are very few quality players not already at Top 6 clubs.

Plenty will be interested in him. I'd love him to stay but we'll see.

Michael @ 3; must be a typo, you've got those numbers the wrong way around, mate!

I hope this young man has a long career with us, as he has all the attributes to be a top player, including speed. I remember Calvert-Lewin says that young Branthwaite was one of the quickest players in the squad.

Hopefully he will have lots of game time next season. Plenty of choice in centre-back positions if everybody is fit. But I remain uncertain about where Ben Godfrey should play, he is very quick and brave but still unconvincing sometimes, particularly in the air.

Yes Danny, Robert is right, I saw an interview with the squad early last season and a number of players highlighted Jarrad as one of the fastest in the side. I really want us to back this lad and give him every chance to make the shirt his next season.

I like Godfrey (despite my concerns about his lack of height) and would love the two to be given a chance to form a defensive partnership which could be our backbone for years to come.

Yerry is one of my favourite players but I think it's sensible to move him on for a fee given the small return we seem to be getting from his glass legs. I would be open too to Keane being moved on and another young, hungry and pacey centre-back to come in, there would be strong competition at the back of young defenders.

I quite like the look of that Spurs lad who was on loan at Celtic last season, Cameron-Vickers, I think?!

Pace comes in different forms.

Some players are just rapid. Or have acceleration; an attribute usually good for a striker. Quick over 10 yards as the saying goes. That's all they need to be.

Others don't accelerate quick, but once in their stride are quick.

Then you have those who aren't necessarily accelerative or rapid but have a quick change of pace, which can beat a player and buy 5 or 10 yards of space. Anthony Gordon is a good example of this.

With centre backs, I place more emphasis on the ability to anticipate and read the game. Not watch the ball go over your head and then have that "oh shit" moment, knowing you can't recover the situation.

It's not an athletics track race. It's football. To play football, you need many attributes. Pace can be one of them, but it's not the essential ingredient.

I think Branthwaite is a very good centre-back now; he will get better the more he plays. Yes, he is making mistakes while he is learning.

Mina and Keane have made mistakes since they came here and still making them; Holgate has improved under Lampard and his coaches – so will Branthwaite.

£50M shouldn't be enough to buy him but obviously his head will be turned if there is any truth in this story, and Everton will take the money because of FFP and the financial mess we have been left in not to mention the poor state of the squad.

I think Godfrey may end up being our John O'Shea – a very good player who never quite nails down a position but is dependable anywhere across the back line.

Branthwaite has a lot about him. At U23s level it's clear he's so much better than everyone else. Could easily play midfield. Welch is good but not in that league.

Correct about pace, Danny. John Terry never really had any and it didn't hold him back. However, he'd have been even better with pace. Branthwaite is quick and pretty agile too, turning well for such a big unit. He has all the qualities to become exceptional.

We're basically missing a tough organiser alongside him. It might be Carter-Vickers or Coady. Might be a foreign signing. I expect Thelwell and Lampard are working on this.

Hopefully it's a partner to Branthwaite rather than a replacement.

Branthwaite is exactly the kind of player we should be looking to recruit. Young, talented and with potential — why on earth should we want to sell him?

We seem to have got the “Moneyball” philosophy right on this lad. Unless of course someone wants to sling gazillions at us!

That is important, Dave Abrahams. We need to be patient with him and accept there will be mistakes along the way as there always will be with young players. Especially in a turbulent environment such as Everton.

Let's not go John Stones on him.

Central defenders mature much later. You don't see the best out of them until they hit 28 - 30, and many go on to their vintage years way beyond that in the modern game.

Because it's a position that relies upon experience and reading the game as much as it does on ability and instinct.

I like Branthwaite and have hopes for him. Ironically one of the best moments was at Stamford Bridge and not in a defensive position. But his anticipation and following the flight of the ball perfectly to judge Anthony Gordon's cross was, well, perfect. I was right in front of it (well 5 rows back).

Anticipation and reading the game. This lad could be something special.

Don’t sell one of our best young assets. What is the point of bringing them along and selling them? We will always be behind the top teams if we do that! Keep him and give him his opportunities when they come along.

He needs a fit Mina alongside or another leader type. Keep him here.

There are a couple of ways of looking at it, Mal.

In my view, the academies are there to provide players for the first team and / or generate revenue.

Everton are an example of pretty much doing neither over the years although the signs of the recent 18 months look promising (Branthwaite, Gordon, potentially Warrington).

Or you can do a Schalke who has a renowned academy. But they relied on the academy to be so much of a cash cow that they neglected the first team and eventually got relegated. Fortunately, they've come back up at the first time of asking.

It's always a balance between keeping and selling. All clubs do it. Everton just haven't been very good at it. The important thing is to get what's right for the club and the team.

Danny (19), yes, it looks like the times are changing at Everton with the recent signings, on good contracts, of the young players.

Benitez came in for a lot of stick during his time here but in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea he achieved the draw with, Simms, Gordon, Dobbin, Branthwaite and Onyango on the field during the game.

Talk about pace, Ratcliffe had it in spades. Personally I would like to see Branthwaite stay for a couple of years and steady the boat at Everton.

I believe there were 5 players under the age of 20 on the pitch by the end of the Chelsea game Dave.

I was at Palace home, but that night at Stamford Bridge still rates as one of the most enjoyable I've had this season.

Young fans belting out Marching Down the Goodison Road and banging on the rafters.

Young fans watching a very young team taking on one of Europe's finest and matching them. Making middle aged fools like me feel very proud of them.

Laurie @ 4, was just making the point that the height alone is usually of interest.

Apparently the pace is there. I only saw one example of it so far, can't remember the exact details, but he made a run forward from around right back position and was ripping once he got into stride. Lot of learning in front of him yet. Last thing we need to do is sell.

I'm sure Man City, just like every other Premier League club, keeps reports on just about every young English player in the Premier League that might be any good.

I doubt they'll be bidding for him just yet. Especially if they wait a season or two, when he has more experience.

A fit Mina next to Branthwaite will do. Failing that, the Burnley lad is a leader.

I despair that, whenever we get a player with a bit of pace and promise, somebody says that he could be played in midfield.

Does this mean we could start the season with Holgate, Coleman and Branthwaite in midfield?

Yeah right… and is it just two of them have scored this season?

Alan, actually all three of them scored this season but I agree with you a midfield of those three would not work. One of them could perhaps do a job there, depending on the opposition and our formation.

Generally though, defenders who look impressive when they stride forward with the ball into midfield areas are much less comfortable when they are already in midfield positions receiving the ball.

Keep, for sure, he will be a class act.

Keep him. He's the future. Got it all. Experience is the key and once he's got that he'll be some player.

Pace is deceptive. While in his early 30s, Jagielka recorded the fastest sprint in the Premier League during a season a few years back.

My sources tell me that André Gomes was marginally the fastest in a recent sprint at Finch Farm – although it was on a day off for the senior squad and he was up against the cleaning staff.

Without a doubt, keep Branthwaite, I see him as an important part of the future of our club. He's very young and needs to develop a bit more physically for his position.

Also, he needs games; if he is deemed still not quite ready this season, he should be sent on loan to get that game time. Best club possible with a guarantee of that.

Good one, Brian!

Oh dear me, we're back to the old Everton ways of selling up-and-coming players at the drop of a hat. Little wonder we have no hope of not being shite.

If Everton sell Branthwaite, I'll be very disappointed. If any of Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and Pickford are sold, I will be minded to fuck Everton right off and simply stop watching them.

I've had enough of this shit, which, in my time, started with the ludicrous sale of Alan Ball.

EFC, the club that talks big and walks small.

You're correct Stan but I'd start with Bobby Collins. Thing is... we don't really have much of a choice as things stand now do we. Patience mate... give it another 30 years.

Alan #26,

When I said Branthwaite could play in midfield, I meant at U23 level. Because he's obviously so much better than everyone else when he plays at that level.

He'd be the best left-back on the pitch at U23s too. He won't play either position in the senior side unless we're desperate.

Stan @34, calm down, bud, it's a "rumour". There will be lots of these over the next 2 months. If you take them all as seriously as that, your blood pressure will be sky-high!

I'm afraid you will be disappointed if you think we won't sell one or two of our top players, we have to for FFP reasons.

As much as I want to keep the three players you mentioned, I feel we also need to know when to sell, something we have got spectacularly wrong under Moshiri's tenure.

Brian @ 32,

I assume the Cleaning Staff were either carrying buckets (full) and mops, or pushing fully laden trolleys. The sooner we get rid of him the better!

Schneiderlin with a black beard (Hide and Seek Champion)?

Don't sell this lad. He's got talent.

The trouble is he really needs to start 20+ games next season at first team level to help his development. Will that happen at Everton?

Realistically the best thing for him might be a loan to a decent Championship club where he should be guaranteed game time. Unless Lampard really fancies him and reckons he'll be a starting pick here?

We need a more settled centre-back partnership next season. It sounds like Tarkowski is coming and I think he could do well, he's rarely injured and wins his battles for the most part (though not sure how well he does in a high line).

Assuming that Tarkowski only comes if Mina is going, then would Godfrey and Tarkowski be first choice next year?

Vieira at Crystal Palace is rumoured pushing to keep Gallagher for one more season and he's made the young Malian defensive midfielder Chiek Doucoure their No 1 target. Vieira knows his midfield strength is critical. We can't let these two players we need go there ahead of us, can we?

Forest are talking to Man Utd about keeping James Garner for another year too. Can we get in on the act!

It sounds like we need to be proactive right now, not next week or the week after, I hope none of our recruitment team are sipping sangria in Benidorm. We cannot under any circumstances whatsoever afford to neglect the central midfield issues. This is priority No 1 for us this summer, we need to be ahead of the game and vying with the competition.

Failure on this recruitment will see us flirting with the lower bottom-half of the table again. Success could give Frank an opportunity to build a young progressive team.

Steve @38:

It's not a question of not being calm, or of being uncalm, it's a matter of recognising a long-term trend at Everton. If this trend continues, as far as I'm concerned, it will signify that the club is content with simply being in the Premier League, and that all the talk of wanting to compete at the top is simply that — talk.

In that case, I will probably watch far fewer games, and in my case, I know what that will mean that I end up, sooner rather than later, not watching at all.

The corruption in the game has been sufficient to reduce my enthusiasm for football and watching rate gradually but significantly, and I generally now watch only Everton games. That combined with Everton being content with mediocrity, would probably lead to completion of the disinterest process.

Tony, the Transfer Window doesn't open until Friday 10 June. We don't know what Frank or anyone else is doing regarding transfers, all we see is clickbait crap in ‘NewsNow' or the BBC Rumours page. Not worth getting het up about.

Ray, I'm trying to relax, I am really stressed out that I can't. Serenity Now, Serenity Now!

Only thing we know for sure that six of these losers are going officially and probably more if we can get buyers for the likes of Gomes. Good luck, Mr Thelwell.

Tony, what were you like at half-time in the Palace game?? 😳

Tony, I believe our accounting year finishes at the end of June. I think it's highly unlikely that we spend any significant transfer fees before then. But that doesn't mean that deals are not being lined up behind closed doors!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Tarkowski bought in within next couple of weeks, some players being bought in mid-July, with Richarlison or Calvert-Lewin departing at the end of July.

There's been too much uncertainty on and off the pitch at ours to line up and execute early summer business in the way Dortmund (and Villa?) have so impressively.

Dave 21. Yes you're right. Benitez did blood a few kids that night at Chelsea. But the clown soon reverted to type after achieving what was up until then, our best result of the season. The sooner that man's name is erased from our history the better.

Any(48), should that be Andy? Anyway if Benitez was a clown he was working in the right environment with that circus who run the club.

It’s a bit late now but I wish that Kenwright’s name had been erased from our history a long time ago.

Just recalling others of our players that it has been rumoured that City are interested in and they could be looking at a defence comprising of Stones, Holgate and Branthwaite. And who said not even Pep could get a song out of our squad?

Tony @41,

I do this every window too, bud, I look at what others are doing and get the fear that we will miss out, which we invariably do of course. It's frustrating.

I have watched this happen to so many targets over the years, Palace and Olise spring to mind last year, it was so obvious he was going to be a steal.

Prior to us signing Patterson, I was jumping up and down about Djed Spence, guess what, the kid is now worth triple and lots of people looking at him.

I could go on and on.

Dave @49. Yes, it is Andy. And spot on with that comment. We have been a circus for a long long time now. Let's just hope we don't have to go through another season like the one just gone. Don't think my hors d'oeuvres could take it.