Everton travel back to Merseyside with nothing to show from their clash in West London against Chelsea.
David Moyes’ side weren’t clinical enough as Thierno Barry endured a really tough afternoon up front, and Jack Grealish also missed a good opportunity.
Vitali Mykolenko was really sloppy defensively, too, and received a lot of criticism from Everton supporters.
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Moyes was really pleased with James Garner’s performance and reckons he was the Man of the Match despite the 2-0 defeat.
But, the Scotsman was visibly frustrated by one Toffees star who highlighted a key issue that needs addressing in the January transfer window.
Everton right-back Jake O'Brien.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
David Moyes knows he needs to replace Jake O’Brien at right-back after Chelsea defeat
In the 43rd minute of Everton’s defeat, BBC reporter Nizaar Kinsella spotted some interesting body language from Moyes, which made one thing very clear.
“Makeshift right-back Jake O’Brien has the freedom of Chelsea’s left flank but crosses the ball straight into the Matthew Harding End behind the goal,” Kinsella wrote.
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“It has left Everton manager David Moyes with his head in his hands and also shows that O’Brien, as a centre-back, is more comfortable defending than attacking.”
Quite clearly, Moyes knows that a more attack-minded right-back is needed this January transfer window, as Jake O’Brien just isn’t good enough going forward.
The Scotsman has already identified a couple of right-back targets.
Everton could reignite interest in Juanlu Sanchez
Moyes made a right-back a top priority in the summer transfer window, but the Toffees weren’t able to get one through the door.
Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez was on Everton’s radar, and a £17m transfer was mooted, so perhaps that deal could be reignited this winter.
Botafogo’s Vitinho has been linked to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in recent days, so he is another option for Moyes and his recruitment staff.
Vitinho has Premier League experience, too, as he played under Vincent Kompany at Burnley a couple of seasons ago.
Kompany admitted Vitinho has an impeccable attitude, so the Bayern Munich manager has already given Everton his seal of approval.
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