Jarrad Branthwaite Scout Report
In our latest scout report, we've turned our focus to Everton's young England center-back, Jarrad Branthwaite. At just 21 years of age, he's already demonstrating considerable prowess in his defensive role in the Premier League.
Branthwaite truly excels in optimizing Ball Recovery where he stands among the top echelons of players in the same position, suggesting a remarkable knack for winning balls back quickly. His Duel Win percentage is also notably high, reflecting a player domination in one-on-one encounters on the field.
However, it would be remiss not to mention Branthwaite's strength in Interceptions, another area where he ranks highly. This tactical disposition helps Everton break up opponent's plays and turn defense into counter-attack rapidly.
On the other hand, his performance in Progressive Carrying leaves much to be desired. While this isn't exactly a primary duty for a center back, this could limit Everton's options for building attacks from the back. His pass accuracy also leaves room for improvement, indicating occasional lapses in possession play.
In terms of position, Branthwaite is more often found in the defensive third and midfield third, reflective of a traditional center back position. Despite a low presence in the attacking third, he is efficient in terms of goal threat and goal efficiency, making the most of his limited opportunities upfront.
Interestingly, despite his below-par Ball Retention percentage, his relatively high xA per 90 rate points to a player comfortable in setting up goal opportunities. While he has the potential to give away fouls, proven by his higher Yellow Card percentile, this can be seen as teething problems of a young, aggressive defender.
On the whole, Branthwaite presents an exciting prospect for Everton, with invaluable defensive traits and unexpected attacking flashes pointing towards a player with high potential to keep an eye on. His style of play and player stats reveal a defender with the makings of a future stalwart at the back.
