Facing an international tournament and a battle to impress his new club boss, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has a big summer ahead.
It has been some year already for the 20-year-old. After a difficult start to life on loan at PSV Eindhoven - one that almost led to him being recalled to Merseyside over a lack of game time - he went on to flourish in the second half of the season.
Almost 40 games later, a spell that included a cup win and European experience, Branthwaite is a different player to the teenager who was coaxed into a clumsy red card the last time he played at Goodison Park, just over 12 months ago.
Next month he will return to Finch Farm with Everton a much-changed place since he left for PSV. And he does so eager to take advantage of the opportunity that has opened up for him.
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"You've got to set your goals,” Branthwaite said this week. “To play in the Premier League, continuously, is a big thing for every player. When I left Carlisle for Everton, it was my goal to play in the Premier League. I think every kid's goal is to play in the Premier League. That would be my main ambition - just to solidify myself in a team in the Premier League at Everton and play as many games as I can.”
The last time Blues fans saw Branthwaite was in the final match of the season before last - the 5-1 defeat at Arsenal that came just days after the dramatic, survival-clinching win against Crystal Palace. Before that match he started the home game against Brentford that began as an opportunity to clinch safety but ended in a frustrating defeat - a loss founded on the early red card he received when he was out-thought and out-muscled as he battled Ivan Toney for a ball over the top.
While his potential was clear, so too was his need for first-team experience. In a squad that started the last campaign with James Tarkowski, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and, one game into the season, Conor Coady, it was clear that opportunities for Branthwaite to gather that experience at Everton would be limited.
PSV stepped in and when pre-season begins at Finch Farm in July, he will return with big clubs following his development. And with Mina and Coady having departed, and Sean Dyche appearing to have question marks over whether Godfrey and Holgate are best-suited to centre back, Branthwaite will have a real chance to make an impression.
Dyche is already aware of the England Under-21s international. When he was appointed Everton boss in late January he sought the player out for a conversation to introduce himself - something he did not afford to every loanee based away from the club. Of that conversation, Branthwaite later told Dutch outlet NOS: "That was just after he signed with the club. He especially wanted to introduce himself and asked me how I am doing and how things are here at PSV. It was a personal conversation, which I really appreciate.”
Dyche is keen to assess Branthwaite in person - the manager places great emphasis on what he can see of a player in person, seeking lessons that are not always clear from highlight reels and data packages. There will be an opportunity for the former Carlisle man to put pressure on what is currently the most likely first choice centre-back pairing of Keane and Tarkowski.
But having spoken of his exposure to the technical side of the Dutch game during his year in Eindhoven, Branthwaite putting his growing confidence on the ball to use would be an added boost to his chances. It is a development that comes with the youngster having admitted his admiration for former Everton defender John Stones. Branthwaite said: “It was a lot more technical over there, compared to England. They like to play. It was good for me as a defender because the modern game is to get on the ball and play from the back. It was good to me to learn those skills…
“If you look in the Premier League and England, John Stones is right up there [among the best]. I watched him in the Champions League final - even though he plays midfield sometimes, his ability on the ball is unbelievable. For a modern centre-back, that's what you look for. He's so comfortable on the ball and defensively he’s good as well.”
Before Branthwaite can focus on life at Everton, his attention is firmly focused on the Under-21s European Championships after he was called up to the England squad alongside fellow Blue James Garner.
Life has changed vastly since his move from Carlisle and Branthwaite is relishing the challenges as they come. He said: "It's gone so quick. I think it’s been three-and-half years since I signed for Everton from Carlisle. That time has gone rapid. With playing the games, it went even quicker, then getting the call-up here it’s preceded things. To look back from where I came from… obviously I'm happy. It all came from the hard work and the people I had around me, so I thank them for that. I've just got to keep progressing now and have a successful summer.”
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