Jarrad Branthwaite
EVE
CB
Ball-Playing Centre Back
Jun 27, 2002 (24)
Left
6'5"
192 lb
EvertonStandout defensive display in draw
Branthwaite had two shots (two on goal), four clearances, four blocks, two interceptions and one tackle during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Analysis: Branthwaite's defensive impact helped his side avoid defeat, though it was not enough to achieve a clean sheet in the third EPL week. Having played all possible minutes over three games, he's established as one of the team's most complete center-backs, accumulating a variety of stats while playing next to James Tarkowski in the defense.
Nine clearances in draw
Branthwaite had one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth.
Analysis: Branthwaite put one shot on target in the 10th minute off Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's corner delivery, producing Everton's best early chance of the match, while also racking up two interceptions and nine clearances to help shut down Bournemouth's threat through the middle. He went the full 90 minutes and provided a steady presence at the heart of the defense, keeping Everton's back line organized despite Bournemouth controlling much of the territory in the first half. Branthwaite and Everton have opened the Premier League season with four points from their first two matches.
Missing due to reintegration program
Branthwaite is not with his team for Wednesday's Carabao Cup match against Preston North End due to a reintegration program, according to his club.
Analysis: Branthwaite is missing from the team sheet for Carabao Cup action, although it is not due to injury, as the defender is being taken care of carefully following his hamstring injury to end last campaign. He is going through a planned reintegration program that leaves him out Wednesday, but the good news is that it doesn't appear to be a concern. He will likely be an option for league play come Saturday, but may miss out on some midweek matches moving forward for the next few weeks.
Strong defensive display
Branthwaite registered two tackles (one won), four clearances and one interception in Saturday's 2-0 victory versus Crystal Palace.
Analysis: Branthwaite registered two tackles (one won), one interception and four clearances in Saturday's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, contributing to an Everton defensive unit. The young center back has established himself as one of the most promising defenders in the Premier League and his combination of physicality and composure alongside James Tarkowski gives Everton one of the most reliable defensive partnerships in the division heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Sits out due to workload management
Branthwaite will miss Tuesday's friendly against Newcastle United as part of planned management of his return from a hamstring injury but will resume full training before Saturday's preseason finale against Lille, the club announced.
Analysis: Branthwaite has steadily worked his way back from the hamstring injury that ended his last season, captaining Everton and logging 80 minutes at Stuttgart on Saturday after earlier starts against Bolton Wanderers and Hamburg, all signs of a smooth recovery. Missing tonight's game against Newcastle United in Edinburgh reflects planned management of his return rather than a setback, and he will resume full training at Finch Farm before featuring in the final pre-season match against LOSC Lille on Saturday. The clear priority is having him at full readiness alongside James Tarkowski in the heart of defense when the Premier League season kicks off on August 22, underscoring just how central he is to Everton's backline plans.
Sat for cautionary measures
Branthwaite is not playing in Tuesday's friendly against Stoke City as a cautionary measure while following a planned reintegration into the squad, according to his club.
Analysis: Branthwaite started in a friendly for Everton on Saturday but will sit out Tuesday, as the defender is still being dealt with cautiously due to a hamstring he suffered at the end of the last season. That said, he is still training and doing well with his fitness, just not playing as they carefully deal with his health after a past of injuries. He will likely continue to appear here and there in the pre-season, set to be fit for opening day.
Starts friendly vs Bolton
Branthwaite (hamstring) is fit to be in the starting lineup for Saturday's friendly against Bolton, the club posted.
Analysis: Branthwaite's return to the starting XI is an encouraging sign after being held out of an earlier preseason friendly against Dundee as a precaution while recovering from a hamstring injury sustained toward the end of last season. His involvement confirms he has moved past that cautious approach, positioning him to build toward full match fitness as Everton continues its preseason preparations ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Not an option against Dundee
Branthwaite (hamstring) is not an option for Saturday's friendly against Dundee and remains in recovery, the club posted.
Analysis: Branthwaite has trained with the squad all week and continues to make positive progress from the hamstring injury he sustained toward the end of last season, though his continued absence from the matchday squad suggests the club is still being cautious with his integration. His path back to full match fitness will be worth monitoring closely as Everton continues its preseason preparations.
Back on training pitch
Branthwaite (hamstring) has returned to on-field training as Everton continue their preseason preparations, the club posted.
Analysis: Branthwaite was involved in ball work and shuttle-running drills with the squad, marking another positive step in his buildup to the 2026-27 campaign. The center-back appears fully integrated into training and will be expected to play a key role in Everton's defense after establishing himself as one of the club's most important players. His return to full preseason activities is an encouraging sign as the Toffees prepare for the new season.
Targeting pre-season return
Branthwaite (hamstring) is hoping to return for the start of pre-season according to the Liverpool Echo.
Analysis: Branthwaite is targeting a return to the Everton squad for the beginning of pre-season. That's about the earliest timeframe he could have hoped for so this is certainly an encouraging sign. Branthwaite would be an immediate impact player in the starting XI when he's deemed fit enough to go.
Making good progress
Branthwaite (hamstring) is making good progress in his recovery and is expected to be fit ahead of the 2026/27 season, according to coach David Moyes. "Jarrad's making good progress. He's got a progress over the summer."
Analysis: Branthwaite had been ruled out for the remainder of the season after picking up a hamstring injury, but the positive news is that the issue is unrelated to the previous hamstring problem that required surgery, making this a more straightforward recovery. The club will manage his rehabilitation carefully over the summer given his history of hamstring concerns, but the direction of travel is clearly positive and Everton are confident of having their young center-back fully available when preseason gets underway.
Out for season
Branthwaite (hamstring) will remain out for the season, according to manager David Moyes. "Jarrad will be out for the season, then we've got quite a long close-season, so there should be plenty of time to get himself fit and ready to start next season, but he won't be fit again for this season. Jarrad is much better [than he was when he was taken off on a stretcher on Sunday] because he's realised that it isn't an injury to the same area that he had the hamstring operation. It's a different spot, and it's a hamstring injury any player could get. I hope it's not [going to keep being a risk going forward]. I hope it's a wee bit of an age where it's... not growing pains because it's far from that and he's a grown man now, but he's still learning a bit more about himself and what he does."
Analysis: The positive news for Branthwaite is that this hamstring injury isn't related to the prior one in which he had surgery. However, with hamstring injuries an issue for him, they will take his return cautiously, not wanting to risk another injury and further time out after barely being available this campaign. Given that it's not as critical of an injury as first thought, he will now have his eyes on the start of the 2026/27 season.
Season over, two months out
Branthwaite is done for the season and is expected to miss around two months because of his new hamstring injury, according to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail.
Analysis: Branthwaite was feared to have suffered an injury that would end his season, and further tests have revealed this, although the two-month absence is not as bad as first thought. However, this will keep him out of any type of World Cup inclusion and leave him working to make it back for the preseason, that is, if he suffers no setbacks. This ends a brutal season for the defender in which he only played 10 times (seven starts) due to nagging injuries, earning no clean sheets while recording 11 interceptions, 13 tackles and 41 clearances. He will hope to return to better form and health next campaign, with Michael Keane now likely to take Branthwaite's spot in the defense for the final few games of the campaign.
Awaiting tests on new injury
Branthwaite suffered what could be another serious hamstring injury in Sunday's match against Liverpool, according to manager David Moyes. "I thought he played so well. I'm worried it could be serious, but we'll have to wait and see."
Analysis: It looks like another period on the sidelines for Branthwaite and this time it could keep him out the rest of the season. He's battled hamstring issues since the campaign began and suffered another one late Sunday in which he needed to be stretchered off after being clearly distraught. His injury likely means a return to the XI for Michael Keane, who has been solid after not being considered a first-choice center-back much of the last couple seasons.
Stretchered off field
Branthwaite was stretchered off the field in the 87th minute due to an apparent hamstring injury.
Analysis: Branthwaite just cannot remain fit this season, as the defender looks to have suffered another serious injury after he was stretchered off the field, appearing to have potentially suffered another hamstring injury. This comes with just 10 games played all season, missing most of the campaign due to a previous injury. If it is deemed serious at all, this will likely end his season, leaving James Tarkowski and Michael Keane to start at center-back.
Finds bench role
Branthwaite (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Chelsea.
Analysis: Branthwaite is back in the squad for Saturday's clash but starts on the bench after missing the previous match due to an undisclosed injury, with the staff opting to ease him back into action. The defender has already missed significant time this season due to a nagging hamstring injury and has been limited to just seven appearances, and could see minutes depending on the match scenario.
Status unclear for Saturday
Branthwaite (undisclosed) could be available for Saturday's game against Chelsea, according to manager David Moyes. "Both hopefully will be in and around the squad tomorrow. We did great without them, so, if we didn't have them, I'd be fine - but we've got them back amongst it, I think."
Analysis: Branthwaite didn't play against Arsenal due to an undisclosed injury, and Moyes' words make it sound as if the defender could be available to return Saturday, although a final call will be made closer to Saturday's contest. Branthwaite has missed considerable time this season due to a nagging hamstring injury, and he's been limited to just seven appearances (five starts) in the current Premier League campaign.
Out against Arsenal
Branthwaite (undisclosed) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Arsenal.
Analysis: Branthwaite is a late absence for Saturday's clash against Arsenal due to an undisclosed injury. The defender had started the last four matches and his absence could be felt, especially with James Tarkowski also unavailable. Michael Keane starts in central defense alongside Jake O'Brien in his place.
Managed carefully
Branthwaite is being carefully managed by the coaching staff after returning from a long-term injury but should be fine moving forward, according to coach David Moyes. "Jarrad, we're thinking will be okay. We had to leave him out for one of the games. I think the time and length of Jarrad's injury meant we were always going to be mindful of it."
Analysis: Branthwaite returned in January from a long-term hamstring injury and has started five of the last seven matches across all competitions, though the coaching staff is managing his workload carefully to avoid any setback. The defender should be good to go moving forward according to coach David Moyes, but he could still be handed a breather here and there when needed. If that happens, Michael Keane would likely be the one stepping into the starting role in the back line.
Scores against Newcastle
Branthwaite scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-2 win versus Newcastle United.
Analysis: Branthwaite scored with a well taken header from a corner delivered by James Garner. He has quickly reestablished himself as a key player for Everton since returning from injury in January, and his physical presence continues to provide attacking upside on set pieces. This was only his sixth Premier League appearance of the season, and Everton have yet to keep a clean sheet since his return to the lineup. However, his next fixture comes against Burnley, who sit 19th, giving him and the defense a strong opportunity to respond.
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