Moyes now plotting move to sign another Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton

It might be all change in defence come the start of next season for Everton. David Moyes‘ side are set to lose a few defenders at the end of the campaign, with full-backs Seamus Coleman and Vitaly Mykolenko two of the players who will be out of contract in June.

They may well have to navigate the loss of centre-back Michael Keane, too. The Englishman has been an important player at the heart of the Toffees’ defence this term, but could depart in the summer upon the expiration of his contract.

That, naturally, means the Merseysiders will need to bring in a new centre-back to replace the experienced Keane, and add squad depth. They have been linked with someone this winter.

Everton now targeting EFL defender

The Toffees are already a little bit thin on the ground at centre-back. Aside from Keane, they have James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite as options, with the latter struggling from injury this term, too.

Thus, it might not be a surprise to learn that Everton are in the race to sign Coventry City centre-back Bobby Thomas.

According to a report from The Mail, he has been ‘attracting scouts’ from the Merseysiders, as they look to bolster their stocks at the back.

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However, this is not going to be an easy chase for Moyes’ side. They will face tough competition from relegation-threatened West Ham United, although perhaps their standing in the table gives them the edge over the Hammers.

Why Thomas would be a good signing

If 24-year-old Thomas were to move to Everton, he would be returning to the club where he first started playing as a schoolboy.

Now an established EFL defender, it would be a good coup from the Toffees if they were to sign him.

Frank Lampard’s Coventry have been flying this season, sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table. The Chester-born defender has been a big part of that, playing 22 times, completing 90 minutes on all but one of those occasions.

Not only has Thomas helped his side to eight clean sheets this season, including four-in-a-row between September and October, but he’s also been a threat from set-pieces.

This term, he’s chipped in with two goals and three assists, showing the added aerial threat he would bring to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

There is a reason his gaffer, Lampard, called him a “powerful” defender.

If the Toffees are to get this singing over the line, then Thomas could certainly be seen as Moyes’ new version of Branthwaite.

There are certainly similarities between the pair, not least the EFL connections they have. 23-year-old Branthwaite also played in the Football League for Carlisle United and Blackburn Rovers.

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However, the comparisons you can make between the pair certainly run deeper. They are both similar in stature too, with the Toffees’ number 32 standing at six-foot-five inches and Thomas just one inch smaller than that.

They’re close in age, too, with just one year between them. Everton could be building a partnership for the present and the future.

Their underlying numbers are also similar. Looking at Thomas’ stats from this season, he’s won 61.4% of his aerial duels and is averaging 4.4 passes into the final third.

Comparatively, last term, Branthwaite averaged 59.2% of aerial duels won and 3.08 passes into the final third.

This could be an astute move, as the Toffees can sign a centre-back with bags of experience already, who has shown great progressive skills and is dominant in the air.

It is easy to see how he can become Moyes’ new Branthwaite. The thought of the two forming a partnership is surely an exciting one for Everton fans.

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