JARRAD BRANTHWAITE TACTICAL ANALYSIS🔵🔥
A detailed deep dive on the Everton CB who is destined for the top
A detailed deep dive on the Everton CB who is destined for the top
Branthwaite is 21 years old, making 13 senior appearances for Everton. However, loan moves to Blackburn and PSV have furthered his development in teams with differing styles of play, one a possession based side, one a more defensive side
I wouldn't call Jarrad Branthwaite a natural passer when you watch his game at Everton, however it is important to look at what a player can do, not what he is currently doing. Everton play very direct, often bypassing build up to go long, JB is instructed not to play out. However, when playing direct he is accurate with a nice long pass in his locker
In the 23/24 season Branthwaite averages 41 passes p90 with a completion rate of 79%, in the 22/23 season at PSV he averaged 58 passes p90 with a completion of 86% whilst also ranking in the top 6% for long passes completed. Systems/style bring out the potential of players
In possession I like when he occupies the LCB role, has a nice pass down the line whilst also disguises passes into the central zone in particular to Onana/Garner. In the CCB role however he can optimize his security, have less of a responsibility on progress and use his two footedness to create better angles to find players between the lines
Branthwaite is technically very secure however I think the next step in his game has to be a development in his progression. I think that comes from extra progression requirements in his game due to a teams system but coaching too. It's perhaps the only weakness in his game with Ruud van Nistlerooy full of praise
He has the composure in build up to be able to play under pressure, retaining possession and creating advantageous situations for himself. That often leads to passing options that are simpler, playing around the press or into the double pivot rather than a line breaking pass into the 10
However, in terms of pure defending there are not many better in the current market than Jarrad Branthwaite, in the u23 market I cannot think of a better pure defender. Although I think Everton's style may hold back his possession game the style and coaching from Dyche increases his defending capacity and performance
In a sport of data driven recruitment it is clearly obvious how the data represents Branthwaite's defending ability:
- top 18% for clearances
- top 18% for aerials won
- top 15% for tackles
- top 11% for interceptions
- top 3% for dribblers tackled
A box defender at it's finest
- top 18% for clearances
- top 18% for aerials won
- top 15% for tackles
- top 11% for interceptions
- top 3% for dribblers tackled
A box defender at it's finest
Branthwaithe is an excellent box defender, he has developed under Dyche who is an elite defensive coach. In the below clip he focuses on the ball, even with the run of Watkins in front to distract him. The positioning is excellent, get’s good contact on the header too.
The defensive positioning is what is most impressive about his box defending, especially at such a young age. I like a CB to defend first, especially in the modern day where it can take a backseat. Branthwaite gets in a space where he is able to block the shot, stop the pass to the CF on the left of the 6 yard box whilst also remaining light on his feet, springy to launch himself to block the shot
Although at Manchester United you would expect him not to be required to box defend as often, moreso defending higher up the pitch. Branthwaite has the physical and mental capabilities to defend higher up the pitch. He has the stride length/speed to push higher up the pitch whilst also the confidence in his own physicality capacity to be able to push up with the confidence to recover
Wide defending is a huge strength of the 21 year olds game. For someone so tall he turns relatively well, he has the power to run alongside Wingers, times his tackle wonderfully whilst also feeling comfortable in these areas. Confident, not afraid to move out wide. Thats half the battle
It means the pass in behind is a lot more difficult to play from the opponents perspective. You can not go long over the top because Branthwaite will win the ball in the air whilst going in behind the pass must be perfect as Branthwaite will more than likely win the race or the physical battle
Operating as a CCB, he can be the attacker of the long ball to bypass the press. When opponents build up vs a high pressing team, often they can encourage pressure before going long to a CF or over the top of the defensive line. Branthwaite is aggressive, reads the flight of the ball well and always attacks the ball with good first contact
Aswell as being aggressive in the air he is aggressive in his ground duels too. Comfortable stepping out of the defensive line to follow CFs into deeper areas whilst also stepping up to intercept passes between the midfield and defensive lines whilst also on average having 6.2 ball recoveries p90
He has all the technical qualities required to be a monster defensive CB. His tackle technique is fantastic, utilises his long legs and timing to continually win the ball. Covers huge distances quickly, monster in the air, reads the game well, aggressive but composed, makes good decisions. He really has all the qualities needed
In possession is the only real question mark as things stand. He has shown at PSV and International level he security is excellent but the doubts are surrounding his progressiveness. He is not an elite carrier or a natural progressor but I think you can forgive that due to his physical abilities whilst also partnering him with a more progressive RCB partner
As a Premier League player who is an English international you can expect a big price tag for Branthwaite. Some reports suggest £60m, some even as high as £75m. It all comes down to whether or not Everton stay up plus their financial situation. I would be comfortable paying around £50-£60m for the 21 year old
He also has huge leadership and character, captaining his national u21 side whilst also showing huge performance levels and character in the relegation dogfight with Everton during a very tough part of the season. He is exactly the sort of person I would recommend to United, not just the player.
Erik ten hag requires huge progression ability from his centre backs, so the does Branthwaite fit that style? Perhaps not. However, the long term plan from Ineos seems to involve homegrown talent whilst Erik ten Hag appears to not be in those plans
The last question mark is what role does he occupy? LCB or CCB? For me, I think his OOP game is so good from the LCB position that it would be silly not to play him here. All his defending talent is optimised here whilst i also think it can bring the best from him in possession
End of thread
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