Jamie Carragher insists Gareth Southgate was wrong to axe England’s ‘present and future’

Jamie Carragher is a huge fan of Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton, who has been left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad despite having a “fabulous season” in the Premier League.

Jarrad Branthwaite, a transfer target for Manchester United, has been referred to by Jamie Carragher as “England’s present and future” despite Gareth Southgate passing him over for Euro 2024.

Branthwaite, 21, made his Three Lions debut as a second-half replacement during Monday’s easy 3-0 triumph over Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James’ Park. Branthwaite was called up by Southgate to participate in England’s pre-tournament training camp. However, the Everton defender was fired along with six other stars on the eve of Friday’s last warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley.

Many have criticized Southgate for leaving out Branthwaite, particularly in light of the fact that Harry Maguire, another center back, was injured and could not play at the European Championship in Germany. The legendary player for Liverpool, Carragher, has expressed his disapproval of the snub on social networking platform X, which was once known as Twitter.

The former Liverpool mainstay wrote, “Jarrad Branthwaite should have been selected to go to Euro 2024, but a lot of bigger names than him have missed out on the England squad.” “He’s England’s present and future.”

Carragher’s praise is not surprising considering that in February he called Branthwaite “special.” Before Everton officially announced their Premier League status later in the season, Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “I think he is [special]… He and his relationship with [James] Tarkowski are a major reason why, in my opinion, Everton still has a fantastic chance of winning.”

That success raised Branthwaite’s profile at a time when United had been eyeing a center-back for the summer transfer window. Although the 21-year-old is at the top of their want list, according to Mirror Football, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and company are hanging out to see if they can sign him for less than Everton’s exorbitant £80 million asking price.

The Toffees have until June 30 to make sure they’re adhering to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. They have already missed two deadlines due to noncompliance, which resulted in point reductions. Therefore, as Everton’s financial window closes, a cost of approximately £60 million appears more reasonable.

Furthermore, Carlisle United, Branthwaite’s boyhood team, will get fifteen percent of any fee the Goodison Park executives collect for him. Carlisle United put in place a sell-on clause when Branthwaite left in January 2020. His aerial dominance and left footedness make him a valuable asset to most of Europe’s top teams; Manchester City and Tottenham are among his known admirers.

Due to his exclusion from Southgate’s 26-man travelling squad, the Cumbrian will at least be eligible to negotiate a sale should Everton reach an agreement to let him go this summer. “Jarrad is a little too young,” the England manager stated at a press conference on Thursday.

“He’s had an amazing season, and it was nice to see him play the other night. Of course, in a perfect world, left-footers would balance out. I don’t think it would have been the proper decision at this point for him to enter before the others. We’ve taken what I believe to be a calculated gamble at left-back with Luke Shaw, and I think it’s worth it.”

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