‘Everton have found their new John Stones – you can build a team around him’
Everton have tied young defender Jarrad Branthwaite down to a brand-new five-year contract on Merseyside.
The 23-year-old came through the academy at Carlisle United, before making the switch to Goodison Park in 2020 at the age of just 17.
Branthwaite was the subject of interest from Manchester United, as Ruben Amorim looked to strengthen his defensive ranks.
However, the centre-back penned a new deal with the Toffees on Wednesday (2 June), which will keep him at the club until 2030.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed that the Branthwaite situation reminds him of when John Stones was on Merseyside.
‘Man United made a mistake – I’m pleased’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that there are similarities between Stones and Branthwaite.
Stones spent three years at Goodison Park between 2013 and 2016, before making a £47million move to Manchester City.
Wyness added that Branthwaite is someone who you can “build a team around”, and that Man United made a mistake by not bringing him to Old Trafford.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it is a massive boost. There’s no doubt that he is somebody that you can build a defence and a team around.
“This is great intent from the Everton owners that they’ve got him stabilised. He really is a player for the future, although he’s performing at the highest levels right now.
“It reminds me a bit of the John Stones sort of feeling at the time. He was a very young player, but Branthwaite has shown all the skills. He’s great coming forward, and he can get a goal or two as well, so it was great news.
“To me, it just showed that perhaps he could have gone to United if they’d been serious last season, and I’m just pleased that they’ve managed to make a mistake about the way they’ve handled the whole thing.”
‘Everton close on Idrissa Gueye deal’
Meanwhile, Everton are reportedly closing in on an agreement with Idrissa Gueye as talks over a new contract continue behind the scenes on Merseyside.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the Toffees are confident the 35-year-old will put pen to paper soon.
The midfielder’s contract officially expired on 30 June, but he has remained in talks and David Moyes is keen to see him extend his stay.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 22 June that multiple Ligue 1 clubs have offered Gueye contracts after speaking to his agent about a deal.
For more Everton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.