“I just wonder…” – BBC pundit hints at Chelsea move for Everton star
Pat Nevin suggests Jarrad Branthwaite could be Chelsea's "final piece of the jigsaw."
The 22-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite has been persistently linked with a move away from Goodison Park, with major clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid reportedly showing interest in the Everton centre-back.
Former Chelsea winger and current BBC pundit Pat Nevin has suggested his old club as a potential destination should Everton opt to sell.
Writing in the BBC Football Extra newsletter, as reported by the Chelsea Chronicle (10 December), Nevin commented:
“Put simply, there are still weaknesses [at Chelsea], and these tend to be exposed at the highest level.
The central defensive partnership, regardless of the pairing, is not close to the standard set by Arsenal and Liverpool. The same could be said about the goalkeeper.
“I wonder if Jarrad Branthwaite could be prised away from my beloved Everton—would he be the final piece of the jigsaw?”
Branthwaite’s quality is undeniable, and at just 22, he still has significant potential, which explains why he’s attracting attention from top-tier clubs.
Ideally, Everton would prefer to retain him for as long as possible, but his sale could provide the club with much-needed funds to reinvest in the squad—potentially a transformative move for their future.
If Branthwaite were to leave, it should be to a truly elite club.
While Manchester United might not currently appeal as strongly, Chelsea could be a more suitable option.
However, waiting to see if Real Madrid’s interest materializes might be the wiser choice for his career.
That said, regular playing time at Stamford Bridge might not be guaranteed given Chelsea’s wealth of centre-back options, raising questions about whether the move would suit Branthwaite’s development.
Ultimately, it seems inevitable that Everton will eventually need to sell their prized asset.
However, the decision must align with the right timing, transfer fee, and future incentives.
Fortunately for the Toffees, Branthwaite is contracted until 2027, meaning there’s no immediate pressure to finalize a deal.
