Jarrad Branthwaite isn’t shying away from the fact that the goal for the dressing room is to “get back into a European competition.”
Heading into the final seven games of the season, the Toffees are firmly within reach of European spots. Following the 3-0 win over Chelsea at home, they find themselves three points off a potential Champions League spot.
“We – as a collective – have made no secret that our goal this season is to get back into a European competition,” Branthwaite issued a message to the supporters.
“It’s an ambitious one after some tough years but we all believe we have the quality to do so and the target is still there for us as we approach the final part of the season.
“It’s right that we keep looking up now, and keep setting targets that move us forward as a club. It felt like the beginning of a new chapter heading into this season: a new home, our new owners, the manager beginning his first full season since returning.
“We want to keep making progress and, ultimately, deliver success. I’ve been here for six years and I’ve seen a lot in that time but it all feels genuinely positive right now. Long may it continue.”
Branthwaite came on late in the game against Chelsea to ensure Everton protected their clean sheet and registered their second successive victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium. There were concerns surrounding the team’s almost three-month-long winless streak at home but David Moyes’ side put in one of their best performances of the season against the side from the capital.
“We’ve seen in recent games exactly what it sounds and feels like when it really gets going. That can be a hugely powerful thing for us to harness. We know when we play on the front foot and get at teams, the fans will be with us. This is an incredible place to play football and together we can turn it into a place where opposition teams dread to come to,” Branthwaite added.
“I think that Everton identity is something the manager – David Moyes – has really brought back to the Club. He’s been brilliant with me and not only me, the rest of the dressing room as well. He knows what this club means to people, he knows what it takes to be successful and he gives us confidence to go out there and play.”
It has been topsy-turvy season for the young centre-back who spent the first half of the campaign on the sidelines battling a persistent hamstring issue. Branthwaite went under the knife in October to fix the problem.
Speaking about his recent injury scares and his personal ambitions, he said, “I am 23 years old now and I think I’ve still got loads more to go in terms of my levels. People ask me how far I think I am off my best after the injury but, honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever reached my ‘best’ yet, because I’ve got plenty of years to reach my prime. I will keep learning, keep pushing myself and do everything I can to help this team.”
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Reader Comments (8)
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2 Posted 31/03/2026 at 10:36:07
The fans are up for it.
Just need a concerted effort now.
How we play in the next two games will show the level of ambition.
3 Posted 31/03/2026 at 12:49:10
I have mixed feelings about Europe, on one hand its probably the key to signing better players but on the other will we be too stretched. We will need to strengthen the squad a great deal, it all depends how much we will be allowed to spend.
Edward @ 1, thats all very well, but I think there is a serious chance that Branthwaite might prove to be a write off due to his injury issues, it would be a great shame but he wouldn't be the first. It's a big gamble for the club, problem is I think his value will have dropped quite a bit due to his injury record if they did try to sell him.
Do I want a fit Branthwaite to stay, of course I do, but I also have serious doubts about his long term fitness.
4 Posted 31/03/2026 at 13:24:20
5 Posted 31/03/2026 at 18:33:09
I'm not sure if you're joking or not, but either way, it's a legitimate debate to have with him. If he'd been healthy this year and made the World Cup squad, he'd easily be worth £75-80M and might want to take the step up. If so, it would've been tough to say No, assuming we could get another young player in to pair with O'Brien while strengthening elsewhere.
Right now, he's still probably worth £50M and harder to justify selling because of his upside. But if Man Utd came in for that higher number based on potential, and given his injury record with us, it would be painful but I might endorse the sale.
6 Posted 31/03/2026 at 19:52:24
Sell the best young left-sided centre-back in the Premier League for £50M, and how much would it cost to replace him?
Why would you replace elsewhere, centre-back is one of the most important positions on the team. If we want to get to the next level, Branthwaite has to be one of the first names on the team sheet -- and before you mention his hamstring problem, he had a successful operation.
7 Posted 31/03/2026 at 20:33:26
In no way do I want to get rid of potentially our best field player since probably Lukaku. I'd love nothing more than for him to take us to the promised land.
I was simply saying that there is always a scenario in which you have to entertain selling, especially when we still are lacking in the kind of depth or all-around squad numbers we need to compete at the top.
8 Posted 01/04/2026 at 03:29:18
If we make Europe, Raymond -- if -- perhaps the next window will be shaped to deal with that. Perhaps.
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1 Posted 31/03/2026 at 10:00:50