Jarrad Branthwaite has credited a “complex” rehabilitation programme in Germany with his return to the England squad, saying the work analysed links between his injuries, his brain and his movement patterns.
The Everton defender’s strong start to the season has been rewarded with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia. If he is selected, it will be Branthwaite’s second appearance for the England senior side, having been blighted by hamstring and groin problems in recent years.
The centre-half has been ever-present in the Premier League this season after repeat hamstring issues restricted him to 10 appearances last season. In the search for a solution, Everton sent the 24-year-old to the MYOS sports and health clinic in Munich at the start of the summer, a move Branthwaite believes proved a turning point.
“I sat down with the club after the three or four times where I was picking up the injuries,” he said. “It was to look at the wider picture, look at the holistic approach of the body essentially. I went over there for three or four weeks working with a team alongside the club, just to assess different things, and hopefully that has helped. There were a lot of different things looked at like movement patterns, the brain; it was quite complex, but fingers crossed it has worked.”
The last of those setbacks was among the most painful. Branthwaite was carried off in tears after sustaining another hamstring injury in the Merseyside derby defeat by Liverpool in April, an injury that ended his season and his prospects of making a late push for the World Cup squad. Everton’s form also plummeted in his absence.
“It is probably the worst thing as a footballer not to be on the pitch and I think when it keeps happening it is mentally tough because you are sort of doubting your body and going on the pitch wary of what is going to happen,” he said. “I think now I am in a position where I got managed throughout the pre-season, managed my load well and hopefully I can stay on the pitch this season.”
Branthwaite made his England debut as a substitute in a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024, and a recall was a target for him this season alongside a return to full fitness. He learned of his inclusion last week while having breakfast. “It was a good start to the day,” he said. “It is a proud moment. Over the last season or so it has been a target of mine. When I have been out and not on the pitch, I wanted to get back playing and give myself the best possible chance to be in and around the England squad after missing such a lot of time.”
He added: “The season has started well individually and as a team. England’s got unbelievable talent and players all over the pitch. I believe I am good enough to be in the England squad so hopefully I can show that.”