Everton hailed for Jake O’Brien transfer decision as relegation verdict emerges
Everton defender Jake O’Brien looks set to remain at Goodison Park beyond January.
According to the Daily Mail (1 January), Everton will not allow O’Brien to leave on loan in January despite interest from clubs in France, Germany and Italy [via The Telegraph, 30 December].
As a result, the centre-back will no doubt be fuming with Sean Dyche and the club, especially considering he has yet to start a game in the Premier League.
However, ex-Goodison scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – thinks the Toffees have made the right decision.
“I think Everton realise that they need to keep a decent squad of players together,” King said.
“Their main aim is to remain in the Premier League. With the takeover and the new stadium, if they were to get relegated, that wouldn’t sit well with anybody. Therefore, unless it suits Everton, I don’t think O’Brien will leave the club.
“There will probably be players moving on and players coming in, at most clubs. However, if Everton feel that they want to keep O’Brien, I think that is the right decision.”
Everton defender Jake O’Brien to remain at Goodison Park in January?
Despite the Toffees’ struggles this season, Dyche has still been reluctant to give O’Brien much of an opportunity at Goodison Park, with the defender having opened up previously on the need to be “patient” [via Everton’s Official YouTube Channel, 14 October].
Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the defender was keen to move on in search of more regular first-team football, even if it was just on loan. It is rather surprising that O’Brien hasn’t played much considering he was signed for £17million [via Sky Sports News, 31 July].
However, that is the way things have panned out, and if O’Brien does remain at Goodison Park, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he cuts a disappointed figure behind the scenes over the coming months.
In other Everton news, one player is surely close to a Goodison Park exit after a transfer update.
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