Carlisle United academy manager Eric Kinder has refuted former Liverpool servant-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher’s claim that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is left-footed in a swift rebuttal.
Branthwaite, who joined as a young prospect from Carlisle in January last year, was initially recruited to the youth setup at Finch Farm before making the step up to first team plans.
Still just 18 years old, the youngster has already had an impact for the club at times.
Following a minor injury crisis at centre-back with Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate bedevilled with setbacks, Branthwaite stepped up in fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United.
Against the Blades, Branthwaite kept a clean sheet on his first start for the Toffees and impressed in the process.
Carlisle academy boss Kinder has continued to track Branthwaite’s progress under Ancelotti’s tutelage ever since he made his move, and recently revealed how he was left bemused as he spoke to the Echo in the wake of comments from Carragher about Branthwaite.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Kinder said:
“He’s a right-footer!
“He played right-back and right centre-back for us. He’s naturally right-footed but both feet are exactly the same.
“It made me laugh when Jamie Carragher said young left-footed centre-backs are hard to find. I laughed. Jarrad is not left-footed!
“He’s right-footed, but both feet are exactly the same.”
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Everton fans may take some satisfaction from Kinder’s rebuttal of the one-club pundit who featured prominently for the Toffees’ arch-rivals.
The real value lies in Kinder’s own assessment; having a two-footed centre-back opens up a greater degree of defensive proficiencies – a fact that could bolster Ancleotti’s options for years to come.
