It will be a historic few months for David Moyes and Everton. The Toffees are all but guaranteed survival in the Premier League this season, sitting comfortably on 34 points in 15th in the table. In the long run, that will be vital.
A new era is afoot for one of England’s biggest clubs. The Merseysiders are set to leave Goodison Park and move to their new ground, Bramley Moore Dock, at the end of the campaign. The fact they will be playing top-flight football there is huge, for financial and footballing reasons.
Whilst Everton will look to build on this season in 2025/26, they might have to do so without star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been linked with a move away.
The latest on Branthwaite's future
Toffees fans may be in for another turbulent summer when it comes to Branthwaite’s future. The defender was constantly linked with a move away in 2024, with Manchester United and Man City a reported destination, for as much as £60m.
As we now know, the England international ended up staying at Goodison Park but might not be at the club for the first season in the new stadium. Fresh reports from various outlets, including Sky Sports, suggest the defender could leave the club in 2025.
It’s stated that the defender is ‘expected to further consider his Everton future’ in the coming weeks and months. This comes after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, which could increase his chances of a departure.
Branthwaite will not be short of suitors. Sky suggests the centre-back is a target for Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Real Madrid have reportedly scouted him, and United are also believed to be interested still.
Replacing the 22-year-old won’t be easy. He’s played 90 minutes in every single one of Moyes’ games in charge so far and is a crucial part of a defense which has certainly improved under the Scot.
However, perhaps the replacement for Branthwaite is right in front of Everton’s eyes, in their academy.
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The academy star who can replace Branthwaite
Everton have had plenty of success over the years from their academy. Wayne Rooney is, of course, the most famous example, but the likes of Leon Osman are also recent success stories from the Toffees’ youth system.
Well, perhaps Reece Welch will be the next in line to represent the academy in the first team. If Branthwaite departs the club, he could be the man to step into his shoes, with the young centre-back making a real impression in the youth sides.
This term, the 21-year-old has played 11 times at youth level, captaining the side in the Premier League 2 seven times, keeping two clean sheets in that time. He also spent the first half of the season on loan in Belgium, for KMSK Deinze, but played just three games.
However, the Huddersfield-born defender did enjoy a more successful loan spell last season with League 2 outfit Forest Green Rovers. Despite the struggles they endured, he played 23 times for the club and was a key part of their backline.
Indeed, the stats via Sofascore suggest that, although it was a struggle for the team, Welch more than held his own. Per 90 minutes, he completed 43.1 passes, made 3.5 tackles and interceptions and won three aerial duels per 90 minutes.
Minutes
68.5
1438
Passes
43.1
689
Long balls completed
3.3
52
Tackles and interceptions
3.5
55
Aerial duels won
3
48
Welch, who was described as a “special talent” by one tactical analyst, has already played for the Everton first team. With that being said, he only has two games and 65 minutes under his belt.
If Branthwaite did leave the club at the end of the season, Welch could be a ready-made replacement. He has already played first-team football at various levels and is a talented defender with the stats to back that theory up.
He could be the ideal option for the Toffees should their number 32 depart in the summer.
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