Everton have several first-teamers on international duty during the September break.
Jordan Pickford was in action for England last night, helping them to a comfortable 2-0 win against Andorra.
Iliman Ndiaye featured for Senegal on Friday, as they defeated Sudan, and Harrison Armstrong impressed for England’s under-19s over the weekend, too.
Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Hungary last night and Jake O’Brien played the full 90 minutes at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Here’s how their national media reacted to the Everton defender’s performance.
Republic of Ireland defender Jake O'Brien.
Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images
O’Brien started at right-back for Ireland, which is a position he’s become familiar with under David Moyes.
Here’s what Balls.ie had to say about his 90 minutes.
7/10: “Jake O’Brien was the only member of the Irish back four to perform well in the first half, looking like a threat down the right flank when Ireland had the ball.
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“The Everton player caused issues for the opposition with his long throws and looks like becoming a key player for Ireland in this campaign.”
SportsJoe.ie wrote.
7/10: “Showed invention down the right with an early burst in the first half, but was then reduced to sending long throws into the box.
Still had plenty of defending to do with Hungary down to 10-men, but was solid in the second half, and prompted the foul that saw Sallai sent off. Delivered several dangerous balls in the second half and was an aerial danger, too.
The Irish Times said.
6/10: “Made a passable attempt at being an attacking right back but he’s nobody’s idea of a creative force. Got in behind in the first half but his pullback for Azaz was too heavy. His crossing was excellent in the second half, in fairness.”
RTE explained.
6.5/10: “It was against Hungary last year that the Cork native made his debut and tonight he was pitched in at right-back. A strong foray down the right in the 10th minute showed what he can do on the front foot, though the cross a bit too strong for the onrushing Finn Azaz. Perhaps guilty of not closing some wide crosses down, particularly from Kerkez.
“Enjoyed much more time in the opposition half after the break with a couple of cracking first-time deliveries from out wide.”
Jake O’Brien stats vs Hungary
As evinced by his Sofascore statistics, O’Brien was actually unfortunate not to register at least one assist from his three key passes.
90 minutes
82 touches
75% pass completion
3 key passes
3 clearances
2 duels won
Despite being a centre-back by trade, the former Lyon defender has really improved his attacking threat and his crossing has come on leaps and bounds.
Moyes did want to sign a new right-back in the summer, but they’re more than sufficient with O’Brien in that role for now, especially since he’s continuing to play it on the international stage.