Everton have Europe's best young defender - the last player I said that about was Virgil van Dijk

Former Everton winger Pat Nevin says he fully understands why Sean Dyche kept faith with the James Tarkowski-Michael Keane partnership at the back for the trip to Southampton but still believes that Jarrad Branthwaite is Europe’s brightest prospect in his position. Branthwaite, who was Everton’s breakthrough star of last season, suffered a groin issue over the summer and has started only one game this term.

Despite making a triumphant return in the 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 28, the 22-year-old was then ruled out of the goalless draw at home to Newcastle United a week later with a quad issue. When the Blues returned to action after with a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on October 19, Branthwaite was omitted from the squad by Dyche who has subsequently only used the club’s most valuable player – who was subject to a brace of rejected bids from Manchester United in June and July – as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw at home to Fulham and 1-0 defeat at St Mary’s, with cameo appearances of four minutes and two minutes respectively.

A failure to restore Branthwaite to the starting line-up for the defeat to bottom club Southampton has seen Dyche receive severe criticism from many among Everton’s fanbase while ECHO columnist and former Blues player Michael Ball also questioned the decision, saying: “It’s a no-brainer. For Dyche to even contemplate leaving him out baffles me,” while adding: “If Virgil van Dijk got injured for a couple of weeks at Liverpool and his replacement does well, do you think he’ll be sat on the bench? Of course not, he’d come straight back in.”

READ MORE: Stunning photos show pitch, tunnel and home dressing room at new Everton Stadium

READ MORE: Simon Jordan shares huge Everton takeover update and makes Friedkin Group 'serious money' claim

Glasgow-born Nevin though insists he understands the decision though, even if he believes that Branthwaite is the most-gifted centre-back to emerge since he saw the aforementioned Reds captain turning out his boyhood club, Celtic. Speaking courtesy of sports betting site BetVictor, the 61-year-old, who played 150 games for Everton, scoring 21 goals between 1988-92, told the ECHO: “I look at the numbers and a lot of managers go with the numbers now and the lack of goals given in recent weeks has been magnificent, the lads have done well. You’re thinking ‘that’s alright, those numbers are good.’

“The problem at this moment in time is not the centre-backs so you fully understand why Sean won’t do it and wants to keep that together. It’s the other side of this that concerns me as Jarrad is a bit better coming out with the ball at his feet and things develop better on the ground because he is that special, he is that good.

“I think he’s just about the best young centre-half in Europe. He’s so far ahead of everyone else.

“The last person I said that about was Virgil van Dijk when he was playing at Celtic and I was telling everybody: ‘you’ve got to get this kid, he’s brilliant, he’s phenomenal.’ I feel the same way about Jarrad.”