Branthwaite credits Munich rehab as England recall follows injury battle
Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has embraced a recall to England’s Nations League squad for the fixtures against Spain, Czechia and Croatia on 22 September 2026 after recovering from repeated hamstring and groin problems. The call-up was announced as Thomas Tuchel named his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.
Branthwaite said a “complex” rehabilitation programme carried out at the MYOS sports and health clinic in Munich at the start of the summer was a turning point in his recovery. Everton sent the 24-year-old to Munich to assess why he had been repeatedly picking up injuries, and Branthwaite described the work there as a wider, holistic examination of movement and the brain. “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.”
His recovery followed a particularly painful setback in April when Branthwaite was carried off in tears after sustaining another hamstring injury in the Merseyside derby defeat by Liverpool. That injury ended his season, halted any late hopes of forcing a place in the World Cup squad and coincided with a downturn in Everton’s form while he was absent.
This season Branthwaite has been ever-present in the Premier League after being restricted to 10 appearances last season by repeat hamstring issues. The centre-back said careful management over pre-season and load control have been important components of his return to consistent match fitness. “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,” he said.
Branthwaite previously made his England debut as a substitute in a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024, and regaining a place in the senior squad was a stated target for him this season. He described receiving the call-up as a positive moment and explained how he learned of the selection. “I found out when I was having breakfast – it was a good start to the day,” the Everton defender 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.
“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.”
If selected for a match, the recall would represent Branthwaite’s second appearance for the England senior side in the Nations League programme against Spain, Czechia and Croatia.