Everton have made some terrific moves in the summer transfer window to bolster David Moyes' options across the pitch, with the headline-grabber so far being the arrival of Jack Grealish.
The England international has registered an eye-catching haul of four assists in three Premier League outings for the Toffees so far, per Sofascore, with two assists against Wolves and against Brighton.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall also arrived from Chelsea on a permanent deal and produced a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Wolves in the top-flight at the weekend.
Everton eyeing new right-back
The Toffees are now looking at the other end of the pitch for potential reinforcements to improve the back four in front of Jordan Pickford before the deadline passes.
According to journalist Alan Myers, Everton have an interest in Norwich City right-back Kellen Fisher ahead of the end of the summer transfer window this evening.
The reporter adds, though, that he is not aware of a formal bid having been placed for the England U21 international, which suggests that there has not been any concrete movement as of yet.
kellen-fisher-norwich-city
Kellen Fisher in action for Norwich City vs Watford.
Everton's interest in the 21-year-old talent does seem to show that the club are eyeing a last-minute move to sort their right-back position out.
What Kellen Fisher could bring to Everton
Moyes could have a natural right-back who could take Jake O'Brien out of that position if the club are able to strike a late deal with Norwich for the defender, who was hailed for his "crunching" tackles by reporter Connor Southwell.
Jake O'Brien in action for Everton
Jake O'Brien in action for Everton
Unlike O'Brien, who is a centre-back by trade, Fisher is an out-and-out right-back who has plenty of experience now playing for the Canaries in the Championship, and for England at U20 and U21 level.
In the 3-2 win over Wolves, the current Everton 'right-back' lost seven of his nine ground duels and lost possession of the ball a staggering 26 times, per Sofascore, whilst the Canaries gem only lost possession 7.4 times per game on averag last term.
Everton manager David Moyes before the match
Everton manager David Moyes before the match
That performance highlighted the need for the Toffees to have a natural full-back in that position to be mobile enough to win duels as well as good enough technically to progress up the pitch and create chances for the team.
24/25 season Fisher (Championship) O'Brien (Premier League)
Appearances 38 20
Big chances created 4 1
Assists 4 0
Tackles + interceptions per game 2.7 1.5
Duels won per game 3.9 3.8
Ground duel success rate 53% 53%
Aerial duel success rate 62% 58%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Fisher and O'Brien's respective statistics at league level last season suggest that the former is far more likely to provide a threat in the final third, by pushing on from right-back to create 'big chances' chances for his side.
The Norwich youngster being an athletic, pacey, right-back also means that he is more effective in duels, as illustrated by those statistics, because he is combative and quick across the ground, whilst O'Brien is a natural centre-back who wants to step off instead of potentially having to deal with a foot race.
Therefore, Fisher has the qualities and the profile to replace O'Brien as the first-choice right-back for Everton if he can adapt to the Premier League, by offering the team more as a strong defender and as a creative threat in the final third.