Jarrad Branthwaite exclusive: PSV loan spell 'made me a better person and a player' for Everton return
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite opens up about a breakthrough season on loan at PSV, working under Sean Dyche and how the Toffees can improve Watch Brentford vs Everton live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm on Saturday, kick-off 5.30pm
Digital Football Journalist @Ronnabe
Friday 22 September 2023 09:55, UK
«International sides need their best players to broaden their horizons. Look at France, most of their side play abroad in Italy, Spain or England, yet they won the World Cup and the European Championships.»
That quote, from then-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, is more than two decades old but could have been written yesterday. The message was directed towards his Reds team-mate Michael Owen and England captain David Beckham, but he could've been describing the vast majority of prominent British players.
Both of Hamann's intended targets ended up following that advice, albeit probably not down to his inspiration, and enjoyed successful spells in Europe with Real Madrid — even if one was rather longer than the other.
Even the influence of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and now Harry Kane as British exports has failed to turn the tide. Of Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, just four of their number play their football overseas.
So when Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite was given the chance to join PSV on loan last summer, a daunting opportunity only weeks after his 20th birthday, there were few he could turn to for advice on the pros and cons of the offer.
After a breakthrough season in Eindhoven he has earned and kept a starting spot back at Goodison Park and would be unequivocal if any of the club's other young talent consider following his lead.
He tells Sky Sports: «It was the best thing I
Read on skysports.com
