Jamie Carragher believes Jarrad Branthwaite has the mentality to have a 'great career' at Everton.
Branthwaite, 18, joined from Carlisle United in January and was initially part of the under-23 set-up working with David Unsworth.
But after injuries to Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina during the Premier League restart, the centre-back was handed his debut by Carlo Ancelotti as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers before starting the final two games of the campaign.
Carragher had previously praised Branthwaite after his performance in the win at Sheffield United - his maiden start - and suggests his composed personality is a sign of his fledgling talent.
“I know from the word that comes out of Everton at different times that they thought highly of this lad," Carragher told The Cumberland News and Star.
"I’m a Liverpool man, but I’m always big on Everton bringing youngsters through. I know the lad hasn’t come through the youth system as a local player, but Everton do bring young players through as well as anyone.
“When you watch him, because of his size, you almost forget how young he is. The way football’s played now, the way defenders have to play from the back, receive the ball in their own box…to do that at such a young age is impressive.
“I was playing for Liverpool at 18 but wasn’t actually being asked to get on the ball, to receive it from the goalkeeper 10 yards from my goal and knowing if I lose it, it could be a goal.
"You have to have that sort of personality to accept that responsibility, and not to look flustered.
“It was interesting listening to Ancelotti saying that, when he does make a mistake in training or a game, it doesn’t seem to affect him.
"That’s a big accolade to have going forward in your career, no matter how old you are. Sometimes players can’t get over mistakes and it affects the rest of their game.
“If he gives a pass away, and Ancelotti knows better than me, he [Branthwaite] seems to get over it quite quickly. It seems he has a really good mentality to go on and have a great career.”
Carragher also expects to see Branthwaite develop further over the next several seasons under the tutelage of Ancelotti.
Everton are expected to target a centre-back this summer with negotiations for Lille defender Gabriel taking place before the outbreak of coronavirus but the former Liverpool and England defender urged patience from the teenager.
“He might get games in pre-season, but he might then go two or three months without playing in the first-team," he said.
"The same thing happened to me and it’s a case of not getting too worried. That’s the game – you’ve almost got to wait for someone to get injured, lose form, suspensions…bide your time and be patient.
“Don’t get too downhearted if you’re back in the 23s for a couple of months. Keep using training sessions as games. You’re up against top quality players in training. Use that to your advantage.”
Carraghr added: “Young players will have ups and downs and make mistakes, and cost goals. That’s exactly what I did, what Rio Ferdinand did, what John Terry did, because it’s a very unforgiving position.
"Hopefully he’ll have understanding from supporters that this will happen with a young defender. He will go out of the team, lose confidence, have to fight back and show his mentality – these are things every player has to go through.
“But it is a big thing to be cool and calm as a centre-back. I don’t think it’s a position to get too emotional. If you make bad decisions it's going cost you a goal, giving stupid fouls away, red and yellow cards…not good for a centre-back.
"That position, and goalkeeper, need to spread calm through a team.
“At this moment, it looks like he’s got those traits in his game. He has obviously improved through training with Everton’s players, and I’m sure more improvement will come in the next two or three years.
"It’s about his temperament and mentality as much as ability, to cope with that level of football.”
You can read the full interview HERE.
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