Jarrad Branthwaite's Incredible Transformation: How PSV Loan Spell Revolutionized His Game and Personality for Everton Comeback

"Top international teams rely on their star players to gain global experience. Take France for example, where a significant portion of their team competes in leagues across Italy, Spain, and England. Despite this, they achieved triumph in both the World Cup and the European Championships."

This statement, attributed to former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, may be over twenty years old but remains relevant to this day. Although initially addressing his fellow teammate Michael Owen and England captain David Beckham, it applies to a significant number of notable British players.

Both of Hamann's intended targets ultimately heeded his advice, although perhaps not directly influenced by him, and went on to achieve successful stints in Europe with Real Madrid, even if one player's tenure was notably longer than the other.

Despite the impact of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, and now Harry Kane as British exports, the trend remains unchanged. Out of Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad, only four of them currently ply their trade abroad.

When Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was offered the opportunity to join PSV on loan last summer, just weeks after turning 20, he faced a daunting decision. There were very few people he could seek advice from regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this offer. However, after an impressive season in Eindhoven, he has successfully regained and maintained his starting position at Goodison Park. Therefore, if any of the club's other young talents contemplate following his path, he would wholeheartedly encourage them to do so.

According to him, undertaking this action was the most advantageous decision he could have made. It turned out to be the most beneficial step he has taken so far. When you are young, it is crucial to actively participate in games regardless of the level. Venturing abroad provided him with a prominent platform and a grand stage to perform on, particularly in European competitions. Moreover, receiving continuous opportunities to play significantly aided his progress.

After consulting with my family and agent, I immediately accepted the offer due to the incredible opportunity it presented and the potential achievements I could attain there, along with the experience gained from participating in the games. This journey has facilitated personal growth, enhancing my confidence both on and off the field.

Relocating to another country and living independently necessitates learning new skills and adjusting to various aspects, such as a different culture and language. Initially, it was challenging when I first arrived, but this experience ultimately served as a foundation for me to return as an improved individual and player compared to when I initially departed.

Branthwaite won't miss the bicycles, or his Dutch lessons - "I only lasted a couple of sessions" - but despite a challenging beginning, he developed a fondness for a city that embraced him with the same warmth as his hometown in Liverpool.

Brentford

Everton

Saturday 23rd September 5:00pm

Kick off 5:30pm

Having played less than 400 minutes in the previous season for Everton in the Premier League, he was confronted with a familiar and uncomfortable déjà vu as he found himself on the bench early on at the Philips Stadion.

"The beginning of the season was challenging," he states. "During the games, I didn't feel alone, but when I wasn't playing, the weeks in training felt prolonged, and I constantly wondered why I wasn't given the opportunity I came here for."

Branthwaite's resilience had been evident for a long time. As a teenager, he was on the verge of being released by his hometown club Carlisle, but he worked tirelessly to secure a scholarship with the support of his father Paul, a former rugby player. His father's assistance during his time at the academy greatly contributed to keeping his professional dream alive.

He maintained a low profile during his time in Holland and was duly rewarded for his efforts. Seizing the opportunity to replace Andre Ramalho in PSV's inaugural match following the mid-season hiatus, he held onto his position throughout the remainder of the season, only sitting out for two of their last 20 games.

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Branthwaite caught the eye as PSV beat Arsenal in the Europa League group stages last season

Manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy spoke highly of him, praising his immense talent. In February, Van Nistelrooy described him as skilled with the ball, versatile in position, possessing height and speed, and an overall excellent defender.

While it was no secret that PSV desired to retain him in the Eredivisie, Everton was aware of the widespread acclaim he received across Europe. Sean Dyche, upon his return to Finch Farm for pre-season, made it evident that he was well-informed about the impressive performances of this young talent.

"He instructed me to train vigorously during the pre-season and assured me that an opportunity would arise, emphasizing that it was my responsibility to seize it," he recalls.

"Throughout my absence from the starting lineup during the initial games, those words resonated with me. Now that I have secured my place in the team, my focus is on maintaining exceptional performance levels and retaining my position."

Dyche's expertise as a former centre-back, combined with his defensive organisational skills acquired in the Netherlands, has greatly influenced his coaching. He consistently emphasizes the fundamentals during training, and this has become evident in the team's performance on the pitch.

If Branthwaite retains his position in the Brentford game on Saturday, which will be live on We, he will equal his starting count from his previous full season at Goodison Park in just six games. It would be quite surprising if he didn't, especially after his resilient performance against Arsenal last Sunday.

Despite Everton's joint-worst start to a Premier League season resulting from that defeat, Branthwaite is excelling both defensively and offensively. He has reclaimed possession in his own defensive third more times than any other Everton player and has also successfully completed the second-highest number of forward passes amongst all Toffees players.

Is he currently showcasing the peak of his blossoming football career?

"Yeah, you could state that," he acknowledges. "Being in this fiercely competitive league, maintaining the level of performance I have achieved so far marks a promising beginning for me.

"There is ample room for improvement to reach the next level, which I am actively working towards. This progress will be achieved by consistently playing a series of games and maintaining the same approach.

"It is great to have a coach who understands our positions and can provide valuable advice, not only for me but for the entire team. We have been focusing on defensive drills during training, fostering a strong bond among the entire defensive line to enhance our performance."

Improving our defensive strength will not only benefit our backline, but also relieve the pressure on our attackers to score.

Both our attackers and defenders contribute to our team's offensive efforts. By harmonizing these two aspects, we hope to see positive outcomes on the weekend and continue our successful streak.

Dyche, the father of Paul, has rightfully taken over as the chief advisor for an upcoming match. Despite no longer being chauffeured by his father to away games and now watching from the stands, Dyche remains just as candid as ever when discussing his son's performances.

"Whether I've played well or not, he'll inform me," Branthwaite says with a grin. Given the current trend, it may be a while before the next negative critique comes along.

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