Everton to make January mistake amid Jake O’Brien transfer admission
Sean Dyche could make a mistake in the January window if Everton sign a new defender rather than utilising Jake O’Brien.
The Toffees signed the Republic of Ireland international from Lyon over the summer but the centre back has only been afforded 26 Premier League minutes.
The 23-year-old signed for around £17million from Lyon [Alan Myers, 29 July] which is a lot for the club to spend on someone who Dyche doesn’t appear to trust.
With that being said, Graeme Bailey has suggested (10 October) that a new defender could be signed in the winter window.
He said: “If we don’t see him [O’Brien] before January do they look at another centre-half? I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Everton could make January mistake with Jake O’Brien
In limited preseason appearances, the former Crystal Palace youngster looked positive and a potential backup option to Jarrad Branthwaite.
Given that the Englishman has played just once this campaign, O’Brien would have expected to play more than he has.
Dyche has continued to persist with Michael Keane alongside James Tarkowski and has refused to budge on that pairing.
This has been the case despite the latter being involved in some bizarre moments such as against Palace and his challenge against Newcastle which was punished with a penalty.
The man signed from Lyon still hasn’t been handed a chance which makes it all the more strange why the Toffees would look to sign a new centre back.
If the manager won’t put his faith in a £17m defender signed from a top Ligue 1 side, who is going to come in that is much better?
This question won’t be answered until the January window opens to see what Dyche does with his squad.
In other Everton news, Rooney is in line to be hired in a recruitment role at Goodison.
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