Carlo Ancelotti may have helped bring James Rodriguez to Everton during his time as manager, but he has argued that another star was his best signing. The veteran Italian coach believes that Jarrad Branthwaite was the club’s top transfer during his spell at Goodison Park.

After parting ways with Marco Silva in December 2019, Everton announced the bold appointment of Ancelotti as his permanent successor. The Champions League-winning coach had only recently left Napoli and boasted an incredible CV, having won league titles with Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich during the 2010s.

Everton won eight and drew six of Ancelotti’s first 20 league games in charge as the Toffees finished 12th. His reunions with the likes of Rodriguez and Napoli midfielder Allan would come the following summer, but Ancelotti believes his best decision was giving the green light for Everton to sign a teenage Branthwaite in January 2020.

OPINION

OPINION

“We finished in...