Jarrad Branthwaite reveals Sergio Ramos as his childhood football hero
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has returned to the England squad and credited Sergio Ramos as a major influence on his defensive development.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has received a recall to the England squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. The 24-year-old returns to international duty following a successful four-week holistic rehabilitation program in Germany, which helped him overcome persistent hamstring issues and prepare for Thomas Tuchel's new tactical setup.
Speaking at a press conference before the clash with Spain, Branthwaite identified former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as his primary inspiration. The center-back noted that he studied El Clasico matches growing up, admiring the Spaniard's aggressive defensive style, leadership, and goal-scoring threat.
When I was growing up, I used to watch a lot of the Real Madrid and Barcelona games. I saw how big of a leader Sergio Ramos was, the type of aggressive defender he was, and he scored lots of goals as well. He had an all-round game, so he was probably a good person to base your game off. Jarrad Branthwaite
Branthwaite also highlighted head coach Thomas Tuchel's clear directive for the squad. According to the defender, Tuchel has demanded full commitment to winning the Nations League campaign, believing that securing silverware is essential for building momentum and a winning culture within the group before future major tournaments.