JARRAD: DAD’S FITNESS PLAN SAVED CAREER
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE has revealed he nearly quit football at 15.
The Everton defender, 21, had to overcome a painful inflammatory disease and was given a month to prove that he had the determination to make it as a footballer.
Branthwaite has since established himself as one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League and has received his first senior England call-up.
But his early days at his first club Carlisle United – where he developed a condition called Osgoodschlatter disease, which resulted in agonising knee pain – still burn in his memory.
Branthwaite said: “I had tendonitis in my knee. I was out for 18 months, couldn’t run, that was about when I was 15. So they weren’t going to give me a scholarship.
“They gave me a fourweek trial period to basically see if I wanted it enough, and then they ended up giving me one, and then within two, three months I was given my first professional contract.
“If it wasn’t for my mam and dad, I probably wouldn’t have carried on. In my mind, I was thinking, ‘If they don’t want me now, what’s four weeks gonna do?’
“But my dad gave me a training programme, and I stuck to that, and it helped me get a scholarship.
“I think for any footballer, you’ve just got to make the most of every opportunity you’re given. Every time you step on the pitch, you got to give it your all, and perform at the best you can, and see where that takes you.”
Branthwaite joined Everton four years ago but was loaned out to Blackburn and had two spells in Holland with PSV Eindhoven where the 6ft5in centre-half admits he did a lot of growing up.
He has played for England Under-21s and also has the best stats for tackles and interceptions in the Premier League which has put him on the radar of clubs like Manchester United.
It has also put him in the frame for the Euros this summer after a call-up to this squad after injuries to Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill. England boss Gareth Southgate has already given him a pep talk.
Branthwaite (left) added: “The manager just said that after the season I have had, I’m here on merit.
“He told me to come in and be confident and do what I would do at club level for England.
“For me it’s just about focusing on giving the best performances I can to be in contention for that squad.”