David Moyes can’t afford to make Jake O’Brien mistake with Kojo Peprah Oppong at Everton
Everton have showcased an interest in Kojo Peprah Oppong ahead of the January transfer window.
OGC Nice defender Oppong has emerged as an Everton target as David Moyes looks to improve his defensive depth at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Michael Keane and James Tarkowski have started regularly for Everton this season as the Scot continues to deal with injury woes.
Jarrad Branthwaite has been out injured at Everton for the majority of the campaign and has now undergone surgery to correct an issue.
The signing of Oppong would make sense in the winter as long as he doesn’t face a similar fate to Jake O’Brien on Merseyside.
Jake O’Brien forced out of position at Everton
O’Brien signed for Everton from Lyon in 2024, but failed to truly make a name for himself as a centre-half with the Toffees.
The Republic of Ireland international wasn’t rated by Sean Dyche and was often relegated to the bench.
It took for Moyes to come in and unleash the 24-year-old to see his best form in blue across a consistent basis.
O’Brien has been forced to play as a right-back in order to play regularly, despite being signed as centre-back depth in L4.
He has been an asset on the right of a back four, although it isn’t really the position he was brought in to play for £16million.
Should another centre-back option come in, Moyes has to avoid playing them out of position and let them thrive in their recognised role.
Kojo Peprah Oppong could see Everton move as a risk
The Ghanaian has already made 12 appearances for Nice this season, having signed from Swedish outfit IFK Norrkoping in the summer.
It appears that the 21-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 and could already be on the move to the Premier League in January.
Everton could land a potential bargain at £6.9m, according to Africa Foot, but must resist playing him away from his natural position.
This has already been showcased in his career, having played three games as a full-back previously.
Moyes can’t use this as an excuse to follow the O’Brien mould and force Oppong to play somewhere he may not feel totally comfortable.
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