Credit; Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Aheed Abrar

Tue 19 May 2026 12:10, UK

Jake O’Brien had an evening to forget as Everton lost 3-1 to Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

The right-back wasn’t at his best after the Toffees took the lead through Merlin Rohl at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 17 May, with the defender being at fault for Brian Brobbey’s equaliser.

Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor put the dagger in the home fans in the final 10 minutes of the game as the Blues bowed out with defeat in their last game in L3 this season.

While O’Brien is getting slack from some sections of supporters, the Republic of Ireland international has had to play out of position due to Angus Kinnear and the recruitment department’s failure to strengthen the right-back position.

The Friedkin Group can’t let David Moyes down again in the upcoming transfer window if they decide to keep him in the dugout and quality defensive additions should be a priority for the Merseyside outfit in the summer.

Everton criticism unfair on Jake O’Brien

Writing in the Liverpool Echo on 18 May, Michael Ball said, “I like Jake. I think he’s done as much as he could at right-back, but he’s 6ft 6in, it’s not his natural position and you want to see him at centre-back instead alongside Jarrad Branthwaite.”

O’Brien was surely never meant to be the go-to right-back for the Toffees, but circumstances have led to the situation and he has now clearly become a scapegoat for the hierarchy’s mistakes.

Moyes immediately played the 25-year-old on the right side of the defence after being appointed at Goodison Park, with Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson struggling for fitness.

The former Olympique Lyon ace has done well at the Blues for the most part, but at times it has been evident that he’s a natural centre-back.

Kinnear failed to sign Kenny Tete and subsequently dropped the idea of reinforcements at right-back, leaving the Scottish manager in a difficult position with O’Brien this season.

Friedkin Group must prove faith in David Moyes

If TFG are truly behind Moyes ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, they need to make a significant investment at Everton in the summer.

The American owners haven’t given the Scottish manager enough tools to succeed at the Toffees and that must change in the coming months.

With the lack of quality in depth at the Blues clearly playing a part in the final stretch of the season, the likes of Kinnear and Nick Hammond have clearly got their work cut out in L3.

The Friedkins have to put their money where their mouth is in the summer and get fans back on side.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.