AliousJamie Carragher, a figure who has often been at odds with Everton, has made headlines for a more positive reason – including an Everton player in his ideal England squad. This marks a notable shift from his recent criticism, particularly regarding the club’s social media response to Anthony Gordon’s penalty miss during the Newcastle match at Goodison Park, where Jordan Pickford’s save had prompted a celebratory post from the club.
The broader context shows Everton experiencing an upturn in fortunes under Sean Dyche’s management, with the team now within touching distance of the top half, sitting just three points from tenth place. Their recent match against Ipswich showcased this improvement, featuring goals from Iliman Ndiaye and a spectacular finish from Michael Keane, validating Dwight McNeil’s comments about the latter’s shooting ability.
The focus of Carragher’s praise was Jarrad Branthwaite, whom he selected for his ideal England XI. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher highlighted Branthwaite’s left-footed ability as a key attribute, drawing parallels with Harry Maguire’s aerial presence and emphasizing the importance of set-pieces in tournament football: “I think Branthwaite, excellent on the left foot as well, gives you that balance, but also gives you that size and pressure that England had in Harry Maguire. You think how important set pieces were in tournaments.”
While the article mentions limited appearances and injury concerns for Branthwaite, it’s worth noting that these details may not reflect his current status. The piece concludes by acknowledging interest from rival clubs, including Liverpool, but suggests that Everton’s ongoing developments – including a potential takeover and new stadium – provide compelling reasons for Branthwaite to remain with the Toffees.
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