‘Generational’ Everton star could become Branthwaite 2.0

David Moyes is reluctant to rotate at Everton this season. The Merseysiders are 14th in the Premier League after a major summer shake-up, but reinforcements such as Tyler Dibling and Marlin Rolle are still at a disadvantage.

To be fair, Moyes said at the start of the season that it would take more than a summer to root out Everton’s deep-rooted problems and rebuild them into something progressive, but some have questioned why he hasn’t made better use of the resources at hand.

But there was one change the Scots wanted, and it never came. Indeed, Jarrad Branthwaite continues to languish on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, so his return could be a good thing for the Toffees.

Moyes needs Branthwaite back to Everton

Branthwaite is undoubtedly Everton’s best player. Indeed, Manchester United charged £70m for the possibility of signing the England international last year, and he would stand to gain the most. None of the moves bore fruit.

However, due to an injury sustained during the preseason, he has not yet been able to take the field at Hill Dickinson. Complications in the defender’s muscle recovery led to surgery a few weeks ago and he is currently out for an extended period of time, with some sources suggesting he won’t be ready until after the new year.

This is a powerful, forward-footed centre-half whose 6ft 5in presence commands respect. Much has been made of Everton’s struggles in the final third this season, but it must also be acknowledged that the impact of not having their best defender fit in the early months of the season (this was also the case with Sean Dyche last year when the Blues suffered a four-game slump).

Michael Keane has done a great job as a young man’s understudy this season, perhaps outperforming vice-captain James Tarkowski next to him, but there is no question that Branthwaite, described as an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Krig, will return to action when he is fit enough.

Everton have made progress this season, but further improvement is needed if Moyes’ side are to break through the facade of expectations and find space among the Premier League’s powerhouses.

Certainly Moyes would be more open to unleashing bit-part members of his team. Perhaps they can make a noticeable difference. There are young players who are considered elite talent but have not been featured this season. Mr Moyes must now let him go.

Moyes needs to unleash young players who ‘represent a generation’

Everton completed a slew of signings this summer. The most notable addition was Jack Grealish, who arrived on loan from Manchester City, but other big signings included Dibling, Keenan Dewsbury-Hall and Tierno Barry.

However, the signing of Adam Asnou from Bayern Munich for around £8 million has gone unnoticed. The 19-year-old is an attack-minded left-back, but his versatility also allows him to play further up the field or as an alternative right-back.

What stands out most is his dribbling. While on loan at Real Valladolid in La Liga last season, Asnou averaged two dribbles per game, the second-highest success rate among defenders in Spain’s top flight (data via BBC).

It is interesting to note that the Moroccan player has even been described as a “generational talent” by the aforementioned Kulig, and ranks alongside Branthwaite in that he has yet to make his first-team debut for Moyes’ side.

The difference is that he was not injured, but rather kept out of action by his manager. He was on the bench seven times in a row in the Premier League, but was not given a chance to play in seven consecutive games.

There are concerns about the player’s physical condition, but there is no doubt that coach Moyes is reluctant to release a young player. Last month, Dibling started against Crystal Palace, ending the 63-year-old’s streak of not including a teenager in the starting XI with 185. Dibling was hooked at halftime.

Everton are said to be open to loaning the teenager out on a short-term stay elsewhere this winter, with the aim of providing him with the right environment for development.

There are reasons for this route to be a possibility, but whether it is really the best course of action for an Everton side that needs more dynamism in the side is another question. However, before that, Branthwaite was loaned to PSV Eindhoven and returned to the Premier League as a better player.

Perhaps Azunou can emulate his fellow defenders in this regard, playing out the second half of the campaign before returning next summer and then shining.

Vitaly Mykolenko’s attacking ability is limited, with data platform FBref ranking the Ukrainian in the bottom 9% of full-backs in the Premier League this season in terms of shot creation actions per 90 points (0.86). Similarly, Jake O’Brien has been reliable in a makeshift right-back role, but is primarily a centre-back and his game reflects that.

The return of left-footed Branthwaite and the stamina he has added may actually be perfect for Aznou as the Moroccan international looks to establish himself on Merseyside. This is an argument with substance on both sides. Azunou could help Everton with some progress this year, but a slow, gradual integration may be better for his long-term development.

Patience will always be required from a young and talented full-back with little experience on the major stage. In this respect, Moyes’ decision to keep him on the sidelines is understandable.

However, many people would disagree. There was an opportunity to let Azunou go, but instead he was traded to the development team under Paul Tate.

There is a sense that Everton intend to attack the January transfer window and also aim for a new centre-forward and a fresh full-back. Maybe Azunou is the answer to the club’s problems in the side?

In La Liga last season, he averaged 2.2 tackles and 5.8 duels won per game (according to SofaScore), winning 51% of the latter metrics.

It will take effort, of course, but after Everton won the summer battle for his contract, it is certain that this great and exciting prospect deserves a chance to shine.