Everton have come on leaps and bounds under David Moyes’ leadership (again), but Tuesday evening’s defeat at Molineux was a tough one to take.
Yet again, the Toffees have fallen from the League Cup at an early stage. Four times in five seasons have they exited in the third round, and Moyes will very much plan to revive the outfit’s trophy-winning ambitions after so many years without silverware.
However, there’s ample reason to be excited as the Merseysiders continue to make headway in the Premier League and shape back into an outfit of a higher station.
And it’s rousing to note that Jarrad Branthwaite has yet to kick a ball this season, injured but preparing for a comeback that could take Everton to the next level.
The latest on Branthwaite's fitness
For the second season running, Everton have kicked things off with Branthwaite in the infirmary. This year, though, the Blues have avoided an early-season slump, sat in tenth place with seven points after five fixtures.
The 23-year-old’s return will work wonders, though, with Branthwaite recognised as one of the most talented and valuable centre-backs in the country.
Solid, strong and deceptively dynamic on the ball, Branthwaite will calm a backline hardly in need of placation, and he will improve the overall fluency of an Everton side transitioning to a more modern-tailored form.
A look at the England international’s past two Premier League campaigns tells you all you need to know about his prowess.
Matches (starts)
35 (35)
30 (28)
Goals
3
0
Assists
0
1
Clean sheets
12
8
Touches*
52.2
51.9
Accurate passes*
31.4 (80%)
32.7 (83%)
Ball recoveries*
5.2
3.1
Tackles*
1.9
1.2
Interceptions*
1.4
0.9
Clearances*
4.5
6.3
Ground duels won*
2.5 (67%)
1.9 (69%)
Aerial duels won*
2.7 (68%)
2.1 (59%)
The defenders are doing well, but Everton still need a bit more solidity and dynamism in midfield. Branthwaite’s return will help in that regard, but certain stars, such as Tim Iroegbunam, have left plenty to be desired over the opening weeks of the term.
Iroegbunam is still young, but he’s not been at the races so far, branded a “passenger” against Aston Villa by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, and then looking unconvincing against Wolves on Tuesday.
Everton could do with an upgrade, and instead of breaking the bank in next year’s transfer market, they might fancy repeating a trick that worked well with Branthwaite and promoting Harrison Armstrong to Moyes’ first team.
Armstrong could become an Everton starter
Armstrong, 18, is widely regarded as one of Everton’s most talented players within the academy system, and on transfer deadline day, he joined Preston North End in the Championship on loan until the end of the season.
Everton view this as a campaign of significance for the teenager, who is considered a potential superstar and who is anticipated to dovetail into Moyes’ senior set-up in the coming years.
Already he has featured eight times for Everton’s senior side, claiming three assists. Against Mansfield Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup this term, he started and played the full 90, registering two assists, winning four duels and completing 91% of his passes (data via Sofascore).
During a previous loan spell with Derby County, John Eustace described the prospect as one of “phenomenal” potential, and there has been little since to have dissuaded the Toffees hierarchy from maintaining this stance.
His tenacity in the duel and flowering quality on the ball, creating chances, has already seen him win over the Everton fanbase, with some no doubt hankering for his presence ahead of Iroegbunam’s in the Toffees centre.
There are more who will be frustrated with the decision to loan him out, but Everton are well-stocked, and a short-term stint in the Championship could work wonders in the long run.
After all, Armstrong may well be looking to take a leaf out of Branthwaite’s book
Branthwaite cut his teeth over in Holland with PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 campaign, and he returned to the Premier League a more refined and robust defender, hailed by pundit Ian Wright as a “monster” who has “got everything” needed to be an elite centre-half.
Still young and with much to learn, Branthwaite is already regarded as one of the Premier League’s best defenders, and Moyes’ side are only going to improve when he returns to full fitness.
The club’s Young Player of the Year across each of the past two terms, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Armstrong emulate him there, slotting into the middle of the park with ease, providing new levels of technical support while shielding the backline too.
Branthwaite came back a better player after his year abroad, and now, Armstrong has opted to develop his talents away from Everton before returning the full package.
When he does return to his parent club, it feels likely that Moyes will look to hand the youngster plenty of opportunities to prove himself, and that may well come at Iroegbunam’s expense.
The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland remarked toward the end of pre-season that there is an “awful lot to like” about Armstrong, and if he completes another successful term in the second tier, there is every belief among The Friedkin Group officials and Moyes and Everton that he will grow into a leading light at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
His rise may indeed hinder Iroegbunam’s own prospects of thriving at the club, but if that is for the greater good of Moyes’ Everton project, it’s something of a no-brainer.
