The defender of Everton and England, Jarrad Branthwaite is waiting to enter the new season of the Premier League.
Branthwaite enjoyed a campaign for the Toffees under Sean Dyche last term, with the Merseysiders boasting one of the best defensive records in the division.
The 22-year-old was left out of England's Euro 2024 squad but has been tipped for a move to Manchester United, given his impressive form.
However, the highly sought after defender has his mind set on the 2024-25 campaign, with no transfer links.
Speaking to Everton's club website, he said: “I think for me it's about taking what I learned last season, and the season before, and putting it together.
“I think that last season, playing all the games I did helped me to play well and I got the experience I needed. I'll put that in this season and keep reading.
“When you have a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season. It's not just the defenders who contribute to that, it's the whole team and it's the way the manager has planned to give us a good chance to win games, and pick up as many points as we can.
“Last season playing all the games I did helped me to play well and I got the experience I needed. I will take that into this season and continue to learn.”
Dealing with it @Jarradbranthwa1 talking before the season, #EFC again @ England. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/kwWGdAq7TN
– Everton (@Everton) July 18, 2024
“I think it will be the same again this season. Hopefully we can get a few early wins and progress into the new season.”
Everton had a disrupted 2023-24 campaign and received a points deduction for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.
But with Amadou Onana set to move to Aston Villa in a £50million deal, there should be no such risk at this point.
Branthwaite is still early in his career and is relishing the opportunity to get experience under his belt at Everton.
He continued: “I think for any young person, any young player, it's about playing as many games as possible and that gives you the experience you need.
“You can only get game experience and take that from every game I played last season. It helped me a lot to put in the performances I did.
“I think you have to be confident in your ability, but it's the best league in the world. It has the best players and it's obviously the toughest league in the world, so you know what to expect.
“You're going to have bad days, and we had a few last season, but it's about how you react to them, and I think that's what I've learned. As I've played a lot of games, it's not about getting down too much and just keeping a positive attitude and going to the next game, knowing how good you can be.
“As a young player, having experience around you, every game [Seamus Coleman, Pickford and Tarkowski] play together and alone, and to gain their experience, it is only good for a young player. Having that last season helped me a lot and helped me improve.”
Manchester United have seen two bids rejected for Branthwaite but the Red Devils could still return to the Englishman.
However, until they meet their fee – said to be around £70m – Branthwaite will remain and is set to go into pre-season with the Toffees ahead of the new campaign.
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