- The 21-year-old has been linked with United after a series of top performances
- Branthwaite has been instrumental in Everton’s stunning revival this season
- Liverpool will be regretful if they don’t put Arsenal away at home after failing to beat Man United – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Sean Dyche says he has not sprinkled ‘gold dust’ over Jarrad Branthwaite, who has made a stunning breakthrough at Everton this season.
The 21-year-old has been tipped for an England call-up and been linked with Manchester United after a series of mature defensive displays in the Merseyside club’s revival.
But Dyche says the Carlisle-born player, who spent last season on loan in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, is being allowed to develop naturally, dismissing speculation that cash-strapped Everton have already slapped a £100million price tag on Branthwaite to fend off interested clubs.
‘Look, we’ve all seen this before,’ he said. ‘A young player comes into the Premier League, does great and then all these stories start. It is a standard process so I am not worried about that.
‘He does continue to improve but I will remind you there is no gold dust from me or my staff. We do not want to get in the way of the improvement. He is coming along at a really nice rate. You can coach things into players they do not need. For me, it is just to keep on enjoying it.’
Sean Dyche urged caution and insisted that the 21-year-old’s progress is all of his own doing
Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed this season following a year on loan in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven
The Three Lions manager was in attendance at Goodison Park as Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 earlier this month
Dyche, also a centre half in his playing days, says Branthwaite is low-maintenance and was not fazed when he was switched from centre back alongside James Tarkowski to left back for the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Fulham.
‘I called him in the other day and said, “You’re playing left back”, because Myko (Vitali Mykolenko) was injured. He just said, “OK”. I said, “Brilliant”. That was it. End of story. And he was terrific against Fulham.
‘I have learned a lot over the years that there is a moment to coach, a moment for analysis and a moment to just go, “You keep on enjoying it”. And that is where he is at.’
Meanwhile, Dyche goes head-to-head with Ange Postecoglou for the first time on Saturday saying he likes the Tottenham boss’s no-nonsense approach.
‘I don’t know the manager but like what I’ve heard,’ he said. ‘He speaks honestly; he wants to win and he is a straightforward guy. He seems like my type of guy. If I get 10 minutes with him, maybe we’ll crack open a cold one!’
Everton are hoping to win a fifth straight top-flight away game for the first time since Harry Catterick’s Championship-winning team in 1969-70.
