Carlo Ancelotti can be proven right by Jarrad Branthwaite Everton decision

Among what is no doubt set to be a crucial transfer window of incomings and outgoings at Everton, the club also must take the opportunity to utilise the loan market once more.

Heading into these coming weeks and months, Jarrad Branthwaite faces what will no doubt be a defining period for him. He's got a long-term contract with the Blues, seeing him through until 2025 with the option of an extra year on top of that.

And, if things had gone differently last season, then perhaps he could have found himself in a more favourable squad position as things stand. The highlight of his campaign came when he stretched out a long leg to poke Anthony Gordon's cross into the back of the net at Stamford Bridge in what was a battling draw against Chelsea.

That goal topped off what was a good, coming-of-age sort of performance from the young centre-back. He started the match in something of a nervy manner, but grew into his display in a mature fashion to become a deciding factor for his team at both ends of the pitch.

Had he not picked up an injury in training after that game, then maybe he would have kept his place in the team. Perhaps he'd have got more first-team opportunities as the campaign wore on, with that area of the pitch certainly being a problem for Everton on multiple occasions.

But that's besides the point. The Blues are now set to strengthen their options at centre-back with the upcoming addition of James Tarkowski, while there still could be other movement to improve the depth depending on the futures of certain players in the squad.

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For Branthwaite, that leaves him at an interesting crossroads. Does he stay and attempt to