Is Jarrad Branthwaite pushing for an England call up?
Jarrad Branthwaite has been one of Everton's most consistent performers this season as he's put in solid performances week in week out. I put him in my Team of the Month for January after some solid displays during that month and he kept up his fine form at the weekend against Brighton where he put in another good display.
With the quality of performances he's putting in and the form he's been in this season, could he be pushing for an England call up?
England don't have a lot of depth in the centre back department and this could give Branthwaite the chance to earn a call up. He's definitely got a chance of earning a call up as he's in good form and if you're in good form for your club, you have a good chance of getting picked for your country.
He's arguably been the best English central defender in the Premier League this season ahead of Lewis Dunk and Marc Guehi, who have been included in recent squads. With Guehi currently out injured and unlikely to be available for the next international break, and no other central defenders in decent enough form, Branthwaite could earn himself an England call up. If he can keep playing well for the next month or so, he's got a chance.
Are Wolves in contention for a place in Europe?
Wolves moved within a point of the European places with their 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday taking them up to 8th in the table and a point off 7th placed Brighton. Are Gary O'Neil's side in contention for a place in Europe?
Many had Wolves to be down in a relegation fight at the start of the season following a difficult summer they had as they struggled to get players through the door, and saw manager Julen Lopetegui depart just days before the start of the season. Gary O'Neil didn't have a lot of time to work with his new players when he arrived on the eve of the new season and the job he's done since has been simply incredible.
Their recent form will definitely give them the belief that they can push for a European place. But whether they can remains to be seen as they haven't been in this position for a few years. What could give the chance is Brighton potentially tailing off due their involvement in the Europa League and I can see that possibly happening as a lack of strength in depth could cost the Seagulls. But the thing that could stop them from reaching those spots is Newcastle potentially getting better as the season progresses and I can see that very much happening.
But if Wolves can stay within touching distance of the European places between now and the final few weeks of the season, they could be in contention to finish in those spots.
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