WORTH THE WAITE
Jarrad WAS going out on loan... until that Bridge belter!
DAVID LYNCH
JARRAD BRANTHWAITE is happy to admit that, had he not played a starring role in Everton’s recent meeting with Chelsea, his immediate future might have looked very different.
Starting at Stamford Bridge as a result of a Toffees injury crisis, the teenage defender went on to score the equaliser in a hardfought 1-1 draw with Thomas Tuchel’s title-chasers.
And, as well as providing an immeasurable boost to his profile, that goal is likely to ensure Branthwaite remains at Goodison Park in the short term.
Asked if he had previously been making plans for a January loan move, the youngster replied: “Yes, I was speaking to the manager.
“The plan for any young player is that you have to play, and before the game against Chelsea I hadn’t played much.
“I was going to go out on loan in the second half of the season but, with me playing that game and Covid and things, we just have to see what happens in the coming weeks.
“I would much rather stay here and play games here and take my chance and keep showing the manager what I can do.”
Although his chance came as a result of Rafael Benitez’s options being decimated, Branthwaite hopes he has done enough to earn more regular involvement.
The 19-year-old, who arrived from his boyhood club Carlisle United in January 2020, is desperate to remain at the forefront of his manager’s thoughts.
He continued: “It’s given me a lot of confidence. I know I can do it, I went out there against a top side and held my own.
“Now it’s for me in each training session, just to keep improving, keep showing the manager that I’m there, I’m willing, I’m good enough to do it. And, hopefully, I can keep getting my chance.
“To get that chance, I felt I had to just go out and prove that I am good enough. Hopefully, I have done that.
“It was important in the context of the game, getting a point away at Stamford Bridge.
“It is still sinking in to be fair that I have scored in the Premier League for Everton. It was massive.
“To play in the top flight in front of fans was great, so I just want to keep improving and impressing in training and be a regular.”
Of course, Benitez was keen to ensure his young charge didn’t get ahead of himself after enjoying a long-awaited breakthrough in the capital.
Branthwaite added: “He said to enjoy the moment, but he was also telling me things that I could have improved on throughout the game – like not being too narrow in the back three.
“He was keeping me humble, which I was always going to do, but he was just basically giving me pointers where I can improve my game.
“He can bring all of his knowledge to coaching the young players. I think he enjoys it as much as we do. We are getting coached by one of the best in the world, so it is massive.”
Everton’s senior players were ready to help guide Branthwaite, too. He recalled: “Seamus Coleman summed it up. He said to me after the match at Chelsea, ‘Enjoy it now while you can. Enjoy the moment, but tomorrow we have to go again and get ready for the next game’.
“Everyone is buzzing for you, but I know myself it is in the past now and you’ve got to keep building on things and focus on the next game.”
haul of 45.4. Dyche does what it says on the tin – he knows his way around the Premier League, despite the odds stacked against his club.
The Clarets are capable of delivering the odd shock.
Just ask Manchester United, beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford in January 2020 and Liverpool last January, who saw their recordbreaking 68-game unbeaten home run come to an end at the hands of Dyche’s no nonsense outfit.
It’s why he is often mentioned on bigger clubs’ managerial shortlists and why there is no sign of panic with Burnley in the relegation zone.
In three of the last four seasons Burnley have not recorded more than two league victories before the final month of the year, but you will never find them a club in turmoil with questions being asked about the manager’s future.
“Most seasons are a challenge for us,” admitted Dyche. “Not every one – we’ve had some big finishes. But it’s reality.
“Football doesn’t owe you anything, you have to go out and perform. That is something I have been talking to the players about.
“We have an experienced group and we’ve had a lot of challenges. The latest one is no different.”
Dyche wouldn’t say no to some help during the January transfer window from the club’s recently installed new owners, ALK Capital, led by American and now Turf Moor chairman Alan Pace.
A £15million investment in Lyon’s Ivorian international Maxwel Cornet has already reaped dividends.
In five months, the forward has become a fans’ favourite and is the Clarets’ leading scorer with five Premier League goals.
That in itself tells the story of Burnley’s struggles so far this season. Trusted hitman Chris Wood has just three goals to his name, while striker Jay Rodriguez has chipped in with only nine league goals in 79 appearances, and Matej Vydra has seven in three-and-a-half seasons.
So, once again, it’s over to miracle man Dyche to pull something out of the bag. He usually does.