JARRAD’S FEELING VANTASTIC
Everton young gun: Going to PSV on loan, beating Arsenal in Europa League and being coached by Ruud has only made me better and stronger
A SEASON playing for a Dutch superstar has left young Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in Ruud health.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, whose manager was legendary former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Branthwaite, a member of England’s Under-21 European Championship-winning squad in the summer, is now reaping the rewards of going Dutch, with a place alongside James Tarkowski at the centre of Everton’s defence.
And there are no fears about facing title-chasing Arsenal on Merseyside today after tasting a 2-0 victory in the Europa League against the Gunners almost 12 months ago in a PSV shirt.
He admitted: “It was a big night, a big result and showed the quality in that PSV team. It was something I enjoy, playing on the big stage of the Europa League.
“It was a massive decision for me to move to another country. It was a big risk, but the risk has been rewarded. I played in 30-something games.
“I played in the Champions League, the Europa League, played in massive games, and won a trophy, PSV winning the Dutch Cup.”
There was also the opportunity to receive some invaluable advice from his experienced manager.
Branthwaite said: “As a striker, Ruud knew what defenders didn’t like, so he was always giving me little tips, about body positions and how to defend against different kinds of strikers, which helped me massively. After games, we’d go back to the training ground and look at the computer, watching the games. There would be little things about body shape with different strikers whether they were big ones or quick ones on the half-turn ready to go in behind.
“That’s something I’ve learnt a lot and it’s definitely helped me coming back to Everton because when you’re playing a high line, you need to be ready to turn, but also ready to go in and engage a striker.
“The whole experience matured me as a player, as a man as well, and I came back a much better player than I had been 12 months previously.”
Branthwaite has also got a victory against Arsenal on his CV. He said: “It might help psychologically, but it’s a different playing field with different players.
“We’ve got good, quality players at Everton and we will give it our best shot and I think we will have a good chance.” Before joining PSV, he sampled Championship football with Blackburn, again on loan, and endured a stormy confrontation with the then-middlesbrough manager, Neil Warnock.
He said: “That was a mad experience. I would have only been 18, 19, my first loan.
“I went to clear the ball and kicked Dael Fry in the head.
“It was obviously a red card, but it wasn’t given and there was a bit of afters in the tunnel after the game.
“Neil was waiting for me. Nothing really happened because I just carried on walking down the tunnel.
“He was saying I should have been sent off, which I knew at the time. I apologised to Dael and he accepted the apology.”
Now, the steep learning curve has led to a first-team opportunity under Sean Dyche at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite added: “When I came back, the message was to come into pre-season and show the quality I had and fight my way into the team.
“Now I’m in the team, I must keep working hard and show the quality I have.”
‘Ruud was always giving me little tips, which helped massively’