Jarrad Branthwaite hopes to make late push for England’s World Cup squad
Jarrad Branthwaite hopes his disappointing season can end on a high as he has set his sights on making a late run into England’s World Cup squad.
The Everton defender has been limited to three Premier League starts by a long-term hamstring injury but hopes he can revive his dream of going to the United States in the summer.
Branthwaite has not heard from England manager Thomas Tuchel but the 23-year-old is aiming to take a spot among the centre-backs the German selects this summer.
“It’s got to be [the goal],” he said. “That was my aim at the start of the season. It’s going to be difficult. I think the only thing I can do is go out there and put on good performances every game, and give myself the best possible chance.”
Branthwaite did not make his first appearance of the season until January but thinks his injury problems are finally behind him.
He said he has found the campaign “very disappointing”. He explained: “To miss all the time I’ve missed this season, it’s had a huge impact on the momentum I had in the last couple of seasons. Hopefully I’m past that now, and I can get a good momentum going, stay injury free, play to the end of the season and push for the World Cup squad hopefully.”
Tuchel’s chosen centre-backs have included John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Trevoh Chalobah and Branthwaite understands why the England manager has not been in contact.
He added: “I’ve been out for so long and haven’t played much football so it’s down to me, and my performances, to give myself the best possible chance to be in and around it.”
Branthwaite has won one England cap, under Gareth Southgate, but after making the 33-man provisional squad for Euro 2024, he did not make the final cut.
He said: “I’ve been in and around the England squads. It would just be a dream to go and play at the World Cup and be there. But, like I said, it’s down to my performances from now until the end of the season to give myself that chance.”
Branthwaite was used at left-back in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday and hopes his versatility will stand him in good stead with Tuchel.
“It’s always good to be able to play multiple positions so hopefully that can have a positive impact on my chances,” he said. “The manager [David Moyes] asked me to play there again, and I’m happy to be on the pitch, happy to be playing there. Obviously, I’d like to be at centre back, but I think Keano [Michael Keane] and Tarky [James Tarkowski] have done well throughout the season. So it’s the manager’s decision and I’m happy to be playing wherever he plays me.”