As of January 26, 2026, Jarrad Branthwaite is a central defender for Everton Football Club and the England national team, recently returning to full training following a long-term hamstring injury. The 23-year-old, widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier young left-footed center-backs, has not yet made a competitive appearance in the 2025/26 season due to a recurring injury that necessitated surgery in late 2025. Despite his injury layoff, Branthwaite remains a primary transfer target for Manchester United, who are reportedly preparing a £70 million bid for the summer of 2026. Having signed a new long-term contract at Everton in 2025 that keeps him at the club until June 2030, his value remains protected as the Toffees prepare to move into their new stadium.
Player Profile and Current Status
2026 Injury and Recovery
Branthwaite’s 2025/26 campaign has been defined by a challenging rehabilitation process following a “serious hamstring injury” sustained during pre-season in August 2025.
- The Setback: After nearing a return in October, a significant setback led to surgical intervention in November 2025 to repair the damaged tendon.
- Return to Training: As of late January 2026, manager David Moyes (who took over the Toffees in late 2025) confirmed that Branthwaite has returned to “full team training” and is nearing his first matchday squad involvement of the season.
Tactical Profile in 2026
Standing at 195 cm (6’5″), Branthwaite is a modern defensive prototype, combining traditional physicality with elite composure on the ball.
- Ambidexterity: While naturally left-footed, his ability to play with both feet allows him to feature as either a left-sided or right-sided center-back with equal efficiency.
- Statistical Dominance: In his last full season (2024/25), he ranked in the top 10% of Premier League defenders for aerial duels won and successful clearances per 90 minutes.
Transfer Market and Valuation
Manchester United Interest
Manchester United’s pursuit of Branthwaite has been one of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent English football history.
- The Amorim Era: Under Ruben Amorim, United see Branthwaite as the “physical beast” required to anchor a back-three or back-four system for the next decade.
- The Bid: While Everton rejected bids of £55m in 2024, the expected 2026 asking price has risen to £70–75 million, reflecting his status as an England international and his long contract.
Career History and Milestone Moments
The Carlisle Breakthrough
Branthwaite’s journey began at his hometown club, Carlisle United, where he made his professional debut at the age of just 17 in October 2019.
- Rapid Rise: After only 14 senior appearances in League Two, scouts from several Premier League clubs identified him as a high-potential talent, leading to his move to Goodison Park in January 2020.
European Education at PSV
A pivotal loan spell at PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/23 season, under the tutelage of Ruud van Nistelrooy, transformed him into a top-flight starter.
- Silverware: He played a key role in PSV’s KNVB Cup victory and gained invaluable experience in the Europa League, proving he could compete at the continental level.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Watch Jarrad Branthwaite in 2026
- Stadium: Everton matches are now held at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
- Ticket Prices: Standard tickets for Premier League games range from £55 to £95, though “Category A” games against top-six opponents often sell out months in advance.
- Transport: The new stadium is accessible via the Sandhills station on the Merseyrail network, with shuttle buses running from Liverpool city center.
Fan Engagement Tips
- Member Access: To see Branthwaite in action, an Everton Official Membership is highly recommended for priority ticket access.
- Stadium Tours: Fans visiting the new stadium can book the “Legends Tour,” which often highlights the development of homegrown and young stars like Branthwaite.
England’s 2026 World Cup Prospects
The Tuchel Selection Dilemma
As of January 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel has favored a hybrid back-three system that demands ball-playing ability from the wide center-back positions.
- The Competition: Branthwaite is currently competing with Levi Colwill and Marc Guéhi for the starting LCB (Left Center-Back) role.
- The “Aerial Shield”: Branthwaite’s 6’5” stature gives him a distinct advantage over his peers, specifically in defending set-pieces—an area where Tuchel’s England has sought to improve.
Road to North America
With the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches concluding, Branthwaite’s performance in the March 2026 friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will be decisive.
- Status: If he remains injury-free through the spring, he is widely predicted to be a “guaranteed starter” for England’s opening group game in the United States.
- Leadership: Despite his age, Branthwaite has been tipped by former teammates as a future England captain, often cited for his “quiet authority” on the pitch.
The Science of the Left-Footed Center-Back
Why Scouting Prioritizes “Lefties”
In modern football, left-footed center-backs like Branthwaite are among the most expensive assets due to the passing angles they create during build-up play.
- Natural Arc: A left-footer playing on the left can curl progressive passes “around” an oncoming striker with greater speed and accuracy than a right-footer playing on their “weak” side.
- The Diagonal Threat: Branthwaite’s ability to hit 50-yard diagonal switches to the right-winger (often Bukayo Saka) allows England to bypass the opposition’s mid-block instantly.
Defensive Biomechanics
Beyond passing, footedness dictates how a defender “shapes” their body when tracking a winger toward the touchline.
- Turning Radius: Branthwaite’s left-side orientation allows him to “show” attackers onto their weaker foot more naturally, reducing the risk of being beaten on the inside.
- Ambidextrous Utility: Unique to Branthwaite is his high proficiency with his right foot (estimated at 37% of his total touches), which prevents opponents from “pressing” him onto one side.
Fitness, Nutrition, and Recovery Regime
To recover from his 2025 hamstring surgery, Branthwaite has utilized a hyper-personalized fitness program at Everton’s Finch Farm facility.
The “Hamstring Shield” Protocol
- Nordic Curls: A staple of his daily routine to increase eccentric hamstring strength, preventing the “snapping” motion during high-speed sprints.
- Sprint Gating: Branthwaite uses GPS-tracked “gated sprints,” where he is forbidden from exceeding 85% of his top speed until his muscle-fiber density meets 2026 clinical standards.
Nutritional Periodization
- Inflammation Management: His 2026 diet is strictly periodized, focusing on high-antioxidant “super-shots” (tart cherry and turmeric) on double-session days to accelerate tissue repair.
- Caloric Surplus: During his post-surgery phase, his caloric intake was increased to 4,500 kcal per day, ensuring no muscle mass was lost during the sedentary periods of his rehab.
Neuromuscular Recovery
- Iso-Lateral Training: Exercises that focus on one leg at a time to ensure the “operated” leg regains the exact same power output as the healthy leg.
- VR Scanning: Branthwaite uses Virtual Reality headsets to maintain his “spatial awareness” and reaction times while he is physically unable to participate in full-contact training.
FAQs
Will Branthwaite start for England in the 2026 World Cup?
Barring further injury, he is a primary contender for the LCB position in Thomas Tuchel’s preferred 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
Why did he need hamstring surgery in 2025?
After several “relapses” of a grade-3 tear, surgeons opted to surgically stabilize the tendon to ensure long-term career durability.
How does his height (6’5″) affect his speed?
While taller players often take longer to reach top speed, Branthwaite’s long strides give him a “high-end” velocity that rivals much smaller attackers.
Is he the most expensive English defender?
If a club meets Everton’s £70m-£80m valuation, he would become the most expensive English defender since Harry Maguire.
Can he play as a Left Back?
While he has the pace, his primary value is in the center. However, his “left-footedness” allows him to cover the left flank in a shifting back-three system.
What is his “Passing Accuracy” in 2026?
In training and previous seasons, he has maintained a 91% short-pass accuracy and a 64% long-ball completion rate.
Does he use any special recovery tech?
He is a known advocate for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), which he used daily during his 2025 post-op recovery to saturate his blood with oxygen.
Who is his defensive idol?
He has frequently cited John Stones and Virgil van Dijk as the two players he studies most to improve his “positional intelligence.”
How many caps does he have for England?
As of January 2026, he has a limited number of senior caps due to his injury, but he has over 10 appearances across the U21 and senior transition squads.
Does he have a sponsorship deal?
Branthwaite is a high-profile Nike athlete, often seen wearing the latest Mercurial or Phantom boots designed for ball-playing defenders.
Who does Jarrad Branthwaite play for in 2026?
He is a center-back for Everton FC and is also a regular member of the England national team squad.
How much is Jarrad Branthwaite worth?
As of 2026, his market valuation is approximately £70 million, though Everton is expected to hold out for a record fee given his contract length.
When will Branthwaite return from injury?
He returned to full training in January 2026 and is expected to be match-fit for Premier League action by early February 2026.
How tall is Jarrad Branthwaite?
He stands at 195 cm (approx. 6 feet 5 inches), making him one of the tallest defenders in the Premier League.
Is Branthwaite left or right-footed?
He is primarily left-footed, which makes him a rare and highly sought-after commodity for teams looking to build play from the back.
Has he won any trophies?
Yes, he won the KNVB Cup while on loan at PSV Eindhoven and was part of the England U21 squad that won the European Championship in 2023.
Who is the manager of Everton in 2026?
Following the departure of Sean Dyche, David Moyes returned to manage Everton in late 2025 and is currently overseeing Branthwaite’s return.
Is Branthwaite going to Manchester United?
While rumors of a £70m move in the summer of 2026 are strong, no official deal has been confirmed as of January 2026.
What is his jersey number?
He wears the number 32 for Everton.
Did he go to the 2024 Euros?
He was part of the preliminary England squad but famously missed out on the final selection, a decision that was widely debated by pundits.
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