Everton set to be missing five players against Aston Villa after Sean Dyche update
Sean Dyche has suggested that Jarrad Branthwaite won’t be fit enough to feature in Everton’s next game after the international break.
The centre-back enjoyed a magnificent 2023-24 season as he became a Toffees regular. Branthwaite made a total of 41 appearances, scoring three goals and earned a breakthrough into the England senior set-up. Meanwhile, he was targeted by Manchester United in the summer transfer window but Everton rebuffed two bids.
Blues supporters are still waiting to get a glimpse of Branthwaite during this campaign, though. He had minor groin surgery which meant he missed the entire pre-season period. And he’s still to return, with Everton losing all three of their opening Premier League fixtures so far – conceding 10 goals in the process.
The Toffees are now without a fixture until 14 September because of the international break when they make the trip to Villa. After the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, LiverpoolWorld asked Dyche if there would be a behind-closed-doors game for Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson. The right-back has been absent since having a hamstring operation in April. But Dyche replied: “They are not there yet.”
Youssef Chermiti continues his recovery from a foot operation he had before the start of the season. Meanwhile, deadline-day signing Armando Broja has arrived from Chelsea with an ankle injury. The forward is not expected to be back available until the middle of October.
Versatile youngster Stanley Mills is on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury sustained in January. during a fruitful loan spell at Oxford United.
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The focus for Sean Dyche this next fortnight will be how to lift his Everton side for when football returns after the international break. For Farhad Moshiri it will be around what happens with regard to a takeover. Everton claimed an unwanted Premier League record on Saturday when they became they threw away a 2-0 lead on 86 minutes to fall to a 3-2 defeat at home to Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
It was a result that left the Toffees rooted to the foot of the table with three defeats in their opening three games.
With a move to a new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock to come in time for the start of next season, in a move that will be transformative to Everton’s ability to generate stronger revenue streams to better support on-pitch investment, retaining Premier League status will be hugely important.
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Just three matches have been played, and the course of this current campaign is nowhere near being defined yet, but ensuring top-flight status for when the club takes residence in its new home to allow it to maximise the benefit straight out of the gate will be key.
