Jarrad Branthwaite (T-3rd Place – 1 Vote)
Branthwaite finds his way back into the Player of the Month rankings forFebruary, a well deserved nod for the English defender who has shown why he is one of Europe’s best defenders since coming back from injury. Branthwaite has played all but seven minutes in his last four matches, and has shined brightly since returning to his natural central role on the backline.
He scored a fantastic glancing header against Newcastle to help secure a massive three points on the road, and has won 67% of his duels to go alongside 77% of his aerial duels so far this campaign. His ability and availability at the heart of Everton’s backline will play a key factor in Everton’s chase for Europe this campaign with his ability to be a vocal leader playing a critical role. It has been fantastic to see Branthwaite back on the pitch for the Toffees, and he is a welcome addition back to the Player of the Month Nominees.
James Garner (T-3rd Place – 1 Vote)
James Garner sneaks into the Player of the Month, tying Branthwaite’s tally of 1 vote for the month of February. At 24, Garner has had a bit of a renaissance this season for the blues, playing a key role in a midfield that has proven to be one of Everton’s strongest in recent years. He has provided 2 assists in his last 2 games, a spot on corner that found Branthwaite’s head in the Newcastle game, and an inch perfect cross into the box from a free kick that found Tarkowski in the Burnley match at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Garner has not seen a FotMob rating below a 7 in the month of February, and for good reason. He boasts an 87% pass success rate this season, and his ability to link the midfield with the attack has been crucial when paired up alongside Dewsbury-Hall. The duo have formed a formidable pair, and Garner has shown an ability to slot in all around the pitch this season, playing some of his best matches for the toffees at right-back. His continued versatility makes him an important Swiss-army knife for Everton, and his set piece ability gives the blues a much needed extra goal-scoring dimension.
Jordan Pickford (2nd Place – 6 Votes)
Jordan Pickford is second in the Player of the Month nominations, and it is no surprise. Pickford pulled off what is likely the Premier League save of the season against Newcastle, miraculously getting his hand to a stunning Tonali volley that supporters both home and away likely couldn’t believe didn’t go in. It is the kind of save goalkeepers make once or twice in a career, yet Pickford seems to pull a save out 5-6 times a year that really remind you how special he is. This is evidenced by the wonder save he made the very next match against Burnley in stoppage time, preventing another sure goal.
While he only kept one clean sheet in the month of February, he has managed 10 on the season and was again a crucial cog to Everton’s results in recent times. It is safe to say that those outside Everton will never truly appreciate how good Pickford is, even as he will no doubt go onto make logic defying saves in an England shirt in a couple months time. Pickford continues to show supporters why he is not only one of Everton’s best ever keepers, but one of the best keepers in the world right now.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (1st Place – 12 Votes)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall wins the nomination for Toffee Blues Player of the Month for the month of February, having contributed 2 goals and an assist across his 5 matches. Dewsbury-Hall is not only one of Everton’s best signings of the Summer, but likely one of the best signings made across this league this Summer. His continued versatility has been a revelation in the midfield, and his quality in the final third is something Everton supporters haven’t seen out of a midfielder since James Rodriguez. He was sorely missed while he was out with injury, but has returned in flying colors, and has played a major part for the blues.
He leads the way with 9 goal contributions this season, and his ability to somehow always be in the right place at the right time has been a revelation going forwards. He sports a 7.26 season rating on FotMob, and it is no surprise as he has rarely dipped in form, and was largely once again Everton’s best player in the month of February. If Dewsbury-Hall continues to find ways to contribute to Everton putting the ball in the back of the net, Everton could well be in with a shout for a European spot.
UTFT!
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