Cumbrian Jarrad Branthwaite’s reputation as a rising star just went up another notch.
Branthwaite scored the opening goal last night for Everton in the Merseyside derby when the Toffees went on to beat Liverpool 2-0.
Branthwaite’s cool finish etching him into Merseyside Derby folklore as the Blues had not beaten the Reds for 14 years.
Already he’d been dubbed The Carlisle Kaiser at Goodison, an accolade reserved for only those who resemble the German great Franz Beckenbaur.
A loan spell with PSV Eindhoven gave him lift-off and coming back to Goodison he has become a fixture in the Toffees defence, and earning a call-up to the England squad.
Branthwaite came through the youth system at Carlisle United and only played nine first team games before he was signed by Everton.
After loan spells at Blackburn and PSV Eidhoven he’s showing what Everton saw in him and why they bought him as one for the future.
However, the Toffees might not be keeping him much longer as he has been linked with both Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Indeed one source is saying that United are confident of doing a deal for his signature by the end of June, when he will just have turned 22.
That will be music to the ears of Carlisle United as they negotiated a sell-on clause when Branthwaite joined Everton in January 2020.
Branthwaite’s father Paul was a talented rugby union player for home-town club Wigton, and he later turned professional to play rugby league for Workington Town.
