‘Been a long road’ – Jarrad Branthwaite sends emotional Everton message, Jake O’Brien responds
Jarrad Branthwaite made a long-awaited return to the pitch as David Moyes’ side drew 1-1 with Leeds United on Monday.
Thierno Barry was an Everton hero again, cancelling out James Justin‘s opener at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 26 January, taking the Toffees up to 10th in the Premier League table.
Injuries have been a major talking point on Merseyside, with Everton now without Jack Grealish for several months, joining Michael Keane on the sidelines, who served the final game of his suspension.
Keane was given a three-match ban for pulling Tolo Arokadare’s hair during the draw with Wolves, but Moyes’ side will be desperate for three points when coming up against Brighton on Saturday, 31 January.
That might become a little easier now that the manager’s star defender has returned from injury.
David Moyes welcomes Jarrad Branthwaite back from injury
Coming on at half-time, Branthwaite made his first appearance since the Toffees’ pre-season friendly against Roma in August, having been suffering from a hamstring injury on Merseyside.
Taking to Instagram (27 January), Branthwaite wrote: “So happy to be back. Been a long road. We keep pushing,” with a blue love heart, and loving emojis from Lewis Dobbin and Tyrhys Dolan.
And as well as earning likes from Chelsea‘s Liam Delap and Southampton‘s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jake O’Brien commented, “Like you never left,” with muscle and heart emojis.
The 23-year-old missed a total of 24 games for the Toffees, having also been sidelined for 21 matches last season, but Moyes appeared confident enough in the centre-half to remain fit against Leeds.
Everton have clear transfer priority at Hill Dickinson Stadium
If Branthwaite can stay fit for the rest of the season, or at least have the confidence in him to do so, there is an obvious area of the squad that needs improving for the second half of the campaign.
Grealish‘s injury has emerged as a huge blow for the Toffees, and even with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall back from injury, the team are lacking firepower through the middle.
Beto could be used in a swap deal for Youssed En-Nesyri, but several Premier League teams are interested in the talented striker, who has 38 goals in 77 games for Fenerbahce.
The 28-year-old has been backed to thrive in the top tier of English football by many, but despite many years in European competitions, he has never played outside of Spain or Turkey.
Moyes’ main priority should be strengthening the forward line, especially on the left side, but any new centre-forward signings could knock Barry’s confidence on Merseyside.