Asmir Begovic makes Jarrad Branthwaite transfer claim and lifts lid on Everton punishment wheel

Asmir Begovic has expressed his relief that Everton held on to Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. And he has tipped his team-mate to become a future England captain.

Branthwaite was Everton’s breakthrough star of last season but after the club rejected a brace of offers from Manchester United for his services over the summer, fitness issues this term have restricted him to just one start so far.

Speaking exclusively on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with former Blues manager Sam Allardyce, Begovic said: “He can be as good as he wants to be, he can go to the absolute top.

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“I remember meeting Jarrad three years ago. The first year he was developing physically, finding his body, and everything that was going on, he needed to go somewhere where he could kick on and get that experience and get that opportunity.

“The second year he went to PSV to play for Ruud van Nistelrooy, Marcel Brands who used to be director of football at Everton was at PSV so he knew Jarrad really well and gave him the opportunity.

“I've now seen him again this summer and he's developed in every way. You look at him in training and he’s a top player, he'll go to the top.

“You could see him being an England captain at some point. I'm glad we kept him because he's the heck of a player, he's unbelievable.”

Allardyce, who was Everton boss from November 30, 2017 to May 16, 2018, chimed in: “It was a big surprise that nobody spent the money on him in the summer, a left-footed centre-half, particularly at Manchester United. You’d have thought that whoever wanted a centre-half who's proven himself to be able to play in the Premier League, and then as his capabilities are getting even better, what is he 22.

“It was a big, big miss for a lot of those big clubs. With Everton’s financial problems, somebody thought they could nick him at a bargain buy.”

Begovic returned for a second spell with the Blues this summer after spending last season in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers. And, asked what Everton's aims for their historic final campaign at Goodison Park were, said: “It's been a few years of turmoil, there's no getting away from it, so just to have a good solid season for us is really important.

“We have a top-quality manager who’s experienced, been there, and seen it all so he leads the way. Generally, our performances have been really good, we just haven't had the points total that those performances probably deserved.

“We've got a lot of games coming up after this international break, the busy period is going to start and that's where it can really make or break your season away, and hopefully, we can kick on and turn those good performances into three points. We've got the squad, it's just about turning those good performances into those wins.”

Begovic made 10 appearances for Everton during his first spell between 2021-23 but has yet to play since his return. Explaining his role as back-up to England number one Jordan Pickford with the Blues he said: “It's a really good relationship, when I first came to Everton three years ago it was in a similar role, to compete with Jordan and push Jordan and hopefully help the team.

“I'm there to push and compete with Jordan and the other goalkeepers, be a little bit of a big brother at times, but also set the standards in training and provide a bit of leadership.

“I understand my role and genuinely have a really good affiliation with the club. The relationship with the people, with the staff, with the fans, it's always been a pleasure.

“It's not the easiest of places to play, I think the fans are incredibly demanding but it's pressure I enjoy having been at other big clubs. I love that pressure and expectation of the fans and look forward to hopefully getting Everton back up to where it should be, with the new stadium coming, to help move the club forward, ultimately it's about the team being successful.

“It's a very interesting dynamic. I think the position is not easy.

“Psychologically, of course, I think you train, you prepare well, and you're professional, that goes without saying, but then you know you're probably not going to play on a Saturday so I think mentally it's difficult, and I think the role is suited to someone with a little bit more experience. I think when you see top-level number twos being in that position at a younger age it doesn't last very long.”

Begovic was also asked whether Everton manager Sean Dyche deploys a punishment wheel which he spins to determine the fate of players if they are guilty of various misdemeanours. The 37-year-old confirmed: “That exists. I don’t think we have a name for it.

“It’s happening at a few clubs now. It’s kind of started over the last few years.

“I think the one at Burnley was a lot more in-depth. That grew some legs, I think.

“Ours is quite simple. A simple fine at the moment, so we’ll see if that progresses, there are no creative forfeits, but there is a jury.”