Jake O'Brien spent 18 months playing for Everton as a right-back but the natural centre-back is yet to feature so far this season
Jake O'Brien during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on September 9, 2026
Jake O'Brien during an Everton training session at Finch Farm on September 9, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle - Everton FC via Getty Images)
View Image
A former Premier League star has disagreed with the Prime Minister by insisting Jake O’Brien should be given another chance by Everton at right-back.
Despite being the Blues’ most expensive acquisition of the summer window in 2024 as they prepared for their historic final season at Goodison Park, joining from Olympique Lyonnais for €19.5million (£16.43m), O’Brien failed to make a Premier League start under Sean Dyche.
It was only when David Moyes came in that the Cork-born player – a natural centre-back – that he was given his chance at right-back.
Having spent 18 months as a square peg in a round hole, even new incumbent of 10 Downing Street and lifelong Evertonian Andy Burnham declared in an interview on August 6: “Poor old Jake can’t do another season at right-back. He’s a good player, he’s a great centre-back.”
So far this season, O’Brien has been an unused substitute in all four of Everton’s games with midfielder Merlin Rohl deployed as right-back before transfer deadline day signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles – a specialist in the role – came on for his debut as a 77th-minute substitute against Manchester United and netted a spectacular last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
According to a fellow Republic of Ireland international though, O’Brien could still fulfil the role for the Blues, but if not then he should depart Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Kevin Doyle, who played Premier League football for Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers plus Crystal Palace and won 62 caps for the Boys in Green, netting 14 international goals, told OLBG, who offer the best betting sites: “Every time I’ve seen Jake O’Brien play for Everton, he’s done well, even out of position at right-back, I’ve always thought he’s done a job.
“I was surprised they were supposedly getting rid of him. He hasn’t played too much as a centre-half for them, but anytime I’ve seen him play, even for Ireland, I’ve been impressed.
“He seems to have a good attitude, so I’m surprised he didn't leave if he wasn’t going to play. Obviously, we don’t know the details, was it not a big enough bid, did someone not want to sign him, or did Everton decide to keep him in the end?
“I watched them at the weekend, and they could have done with him. Marcus Rashford was giving their Merlin Rohl a tough time, and I was thinking at the time that Jake O’Brien would have done a better job against him.
“He’s out of favour for some reason, but he needs to move, he needs to play. He’s a fine centre-half, he can do a job at right-back, but he really is a centre-half.
“He needs to go to a club that will play him in that position. It can change quickly, a couple of injuries, a sending-off, and he could get into the team, do well, and stay there.
“Things change very quickly, so he just needs to keep a good attitude. Any time I’ve seen him play, I’ve been impressed.”