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Chelsea have been told they should have signed a key Manchester United transfer target instead of Jadon Sancho.
Sancho completed a surprise move to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day, joining Chelsea on loan until the end of the season.
The deal includes an obligation for Chelsea to sign Sancho on a permanent deal for between £20-25m next summer.
Sancho, 24, will look to revive his career at Chelsea following a dismal spell at Manchester United in which he fell out of favour under Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag.
The England international has looked bright in his first two appearances for Chelsea but Pat Nevin, who used to play for the club, believes Enzo Maresca should have bolstered his defensive options instead and tried to sign Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite.
United had several bids for Branthwaite rejected by Everton over the summer but are expected to revive their interest in the 22-year-old centre-back at the end of the season.
‘Everyone was talking about Manchester United being interested but if I was Chelsea I would have chased Jarrad Branthwaite rather than Sancho or [Pedro] Neto,’ Nevin told bettingexpert.com.
‘Do without the creativity to allow Chelsea to take care of the centre-back position for a decade.’
Nevin is a huge admirer of Branthwaite and believes he has the potential to play for Barcelona.
‘I rate him that highly,’ the former Scotland international added. ‘Of players his age, in that position there’s been very few I’ve seen that good.
‘Remember centre-backs take a long time to cook. They’re not normally cooked until they’re 24, 25, 26. He’s ready, at the top level and looking the best player.
‘Don’t worry Everton fans. If he stays which I hope he does for the rest of the season at least then great. He’ll help Everton stay up which I’m confident they will.
‘But if he goes, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the biggest clubs in Europe are in there. He can play for Barcelona.
‘If they came in, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. He’s fabulous on the ball, he’s growing quickly with confidence.
‘He’s so far ahead of players that age that I would take him over every other centre-half his age in the world. He’s that good or at least he can become that good.’
Branthwaite is yet to feature for struggling Everton this season but said this week he was ‘feeling good’ ahead of his return to first-team action.
He featured for Everton’s U21 team on Sunday and is keen to return to the first team following their dismal start to the season.
Sean Dyche’s Toffees picked up their first point of the campaign on Saturday following a run of four straight defeats which has left them in the relegation zone.
‘I feel good. It’s good to get out there and get minutes under my belt,’ Branthwaite said.
‘The game was entertaining and end-to-end, which is what I needed to get back up to speed.
‘It’s been frustrating, I would love to be out there with the lads. I’ve been taking the time to come back stronger, so that when I do come back, I can make an impact.
‘You’ve got to have full belief in your own ability [to get back to the heights he showed last season].
‘After being out for such a long time it’s going to be difficult to get back up to speed, but I believe that when I get a chance to get back in the team, I’ll make an impact.’
Everton return to Premier League action on Monday night against Crystal Palace, who are also still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
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