David Moyes has been discussing Jake O'Brien and Iliman Ndiaye's form ahead of Everton's home game against Tottenham Hotspur
David Moyes at his pre-match press conference to preview Everton's game with Tottenham Hotspur
David Moyes at his pre-match press conference to preview Everton's game with Tottenham Hotspur
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David Moyes believes that Jake O’Brien can move back into the heart of Everton’s defence if required. And the Blues boss has hailed Iliman Ndiaye for easing the burden on his team’s goal-shy strikers.
With Jarrad Branthwaite – who hasn’t played all season – now facing a prolonged period on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on a hamstring injury this week, there has been talk among the Blues fanbase of the prospect of O’Brien, who has mostly been playing at right-back since Moyes brought him into the side, moving back into his natural centre-back position.
Asked in his pre-match press conference to preview Everton’s home game with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday whether the Republic of Ireland international could revert to centre-back, Moyes said: “Yes, absolutely. We gave him a run at centre-back at the end of last season.
“He’s had a couple of games and he did very well. He is a centre-back, but he is doing a very good job for us at right-back in the main, he needs to keep his levels up, like we all do.”
Like midfielder James Garner, who has also operated as an auxiliary full-back when required this term, Moyes appreciates O’Brien’s ability to be deployed in different areas. He said: “I think versatility is a big part of football now. A lot of players are playing in different positions.
“I’m calling Jake a young centre-back and he’s maybe not that young now but to be a young centre-back quite often you have to make your debut and get started as a full-back – I certainly did as a player as well.
“But I think that’s part of it. As it is, I think having Jarrad and Tarky (James Tarkowski) here is hard to nudge away and Keano’s (Michael Keane) played very well in the games.
“So, he’ll need to keep fighting for his own position where he’s playing at the moment but if we’ve got any problems at centre-back, we know we’ve got him.”
Another player who has been getting to grips with a new role is Iliman Ndiaye, who was predominantly on the left-wing last season, but has moved over to the right following the arrival of Jack Grealish.
The Senegal international produced one of his brightest displays for the club in the first half at the Etihad against Manchester Ciitylast Saturday, although Moyes has been pleased with his form from the off.
He said: “Ili has hugely impressed me with how he’s played. He’s gone from the left side to the right side.
“He can play either side. I think he’s been better there, we played him as a number 10 recently (the first half against Crystal Palace) and I don’t think it suited him as much as playing off the sides.
“He’s been so good. We’re getting goals from him as well.
“To get goals from your wide players, obviously you want your goals from your number nines normally but after that then it becomes your wide players and your midfield players. Ili’s goal return has been good for the role he plays.
“He’s a great lad to work with. He’s shown some brilliant moments, especially in the first half against Man City, but we just want him to be like that in all the games and since I’ve come in, I’ve been hugely impressed.”
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