View: Everton's European hopes rest on Finch Farm staff ability to fully repair 8-app star

Everton are close to securing their dream of European football, but the Toffees require the medical staff at Finch Farm to work wonders on Jarrad Branthwaite.

David Moyes has been without his star centre-back for the majority of the season, and still has the Blues battling for a spot in Europe next campaign.

The Toffees are currently eighth in the Premier League and are impatiently awaiting a return to league action, with FA Cup games taking place this weekend.

However, Moyes has been at a disadvantage for large portions of this campaign without Branthwaite, as the defender seems to have had another setback.

Branthwaite featured in the 3-0 win over Chelsea, coming off the bench in the 78th minute, but it’s clear that the centre-back is not yet fully fit.

Jarrad Branthwaite is the only way Everton get it done

The medical team at Finch Farm will most likely be keeping a close eye on Branthwaite over this long break, and the time can be used to iron out any remaining doubts.

The 23-year-old’s importance to the Toffees goes without saying, but some may think that he’s 100 per cent following his cameo against Chelsea, but that’s not always the case.

Branthwaite has played eight games this season, but only five of them have been actual starts.

It would be a surprise to see the Englishman straight back in the starting eleven to face Brentford next weekend, as Moyes needs to be careful with him.

Having the centre-half back to full fitness would be a big lift for the whole squad and the supporters, and it could be the last boost that the Blues need to achieve their ultimate goal.

Branthwaite seems keen to stay at Everton for the long term, and the Toffees will only help themselves keep their star man through qualifying for Europe.

Has Michael Keane performed better than Branthwaite in comparison to last season?

Michael Keane has had somewhat of a resurgence at Hill Dickinson this term, with his playing opportunities increased through Branthwaite’s absence.

The veteran Premier League defender has picked up plaudits, as his displays this term are clearly an improvement from last season, which not many Evertonians expected.

As seen in the table above, Branthwaite still offers better per 90 defensive stats than Keane, while holding a clear ball-playing advantage over his usual deputy.

The only explanation for the difference in FotMob rating is down to Everton’s overall improved performances this season, which will have no doubt been the same, if not better, had Branthwaite been fit this term.

Either way, the physios at Finch Farm will have hopefully been taking their job with the defender seriously these past couple of weeks.

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