Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Wed 25 March 2026 17:40, UK

Ben White is on Everton’s shortlist for the summer transfer window, but it’s hard to see how that makes much sense.

White, since moving to Arsenal, has primarily been a right-back under manager Mikel Arteta.

With Michael Keane’s contract coming to an end at the end of this season, a shake-up in central defence is currently needed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Even so, the possible addition of White to assume that open spot raises plenty of questions.

However, Everton’s transfer for White could open up the chance for Jake O’Brien to return to his natural position.

Why Ben White as a centre-back makes little sense for Everton

Everton are set to have a busy summer with a £100million budget set as David Moyes looks to keep the Toffees in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

One of the positions being looked at is centre-back.

Gunners defender White has emerged as a candidate for that position, as according to iNews, Everton are looking to bring in another central option.

Despite the report, it seems hard to see how the Toffees would view him as a central defender, even though it is his most played position.

The Englishman has played just 12 times in central defence since the end of 2021-2022, with Arteta deploying him on the wide right of defence instead.

Additionally, White’s defensive statistics this season, although formed through a lack of minutes, do not point to a dominant defender.

White, over his seven Premier League appearances, has just a 43 per cent aerial duel win rate, according to Sofascore.

However, a move for the 28-year-old, if used at right-back, would free up Jake O’Brien to return to his natural centre-back position.

How Jake O’Brien would benefit from Ben White’s arrival

While O’Brien has impressed at right-back this season, the Irishman’s physical presence and qualities are much better suited to the centre of defence.

The 24-year-old’s rise as a full-back has only emerged since joining the Toffees and under the tenure of Moyes.

In fact, this season he has played just six games at centre-back. However, in those, he has proven it is his best role by far.

Deployed in central defence, O’Brien has an average of just 0.66 goals conceded per appearance. Additionally, in those six games, he has kept three clean sheets.

Last season, he averaged identical totals in both statistics when starting at centre-back.

Overall, if White were to join Everton, moving O’Brien back into the middle with the Arsenal defender holding the width makes much more sense from a recruitment standpoint.