Everton are looking to make the leap from relegation battlers back into the top half of the table under The Friedkin Group.
David Moyes has worked his magic on Merseyside since making his return to Goodison Park.
The mood around the club will be incredibly positive after Moyes was awarded Manager of the Month for February’s results.
This comes after what was a quiet January transfer window for Everton, with only one player brought through the doors.
But it is what the 61-year-old has been able to do with the players he has inherited which has impressed the most.
After enjoying his opening months at Goodison, Moyes is now considering a potential position change for one of his players.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
David Moyes considering major position change for Everton player
Jake O’Brien has really impressed under Moyes after being snubbed by Sean Dyche following his £17m move in the summer.
The Irishman has been one of the real success stories under the Scotsman despite playing out of position at right-back.
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Speaking on Friday to the media at Finch Farm, Moyes has admitted O’Brien could soon return to playing in his more natural centre-back position.
“I still think in some ways he plays like a young player. But I think he’s got so many good attributes,” said Moyes.
“And let’s be fair, Bainsey played him against Peterborough in the game before I came, and he done really well, so we thought why not.
“I think it would be good when he goes away if he plays centre-back for the Republic. He might play right-back, I’m not sure.
“As I’ve said, we’ve tried to use him as a bit of a hybrid, which I’m hoping when he does go back to playing centre-half it’s pretty natural for him. But I’m hoping over the next year or so he’ll go back to being more of a centre-half.”
Even Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised O’Brien and the turnaround he has shown since Moyes’ appointment.
And he has done all of this whilst playing out of position at right-back.
Jake O’Brien has strong competition at Everton centre-back
It will certainly have pleased Moyes that O’Brien has settled into the role at right-back, as it has saved him a major headache.
Jarrad Branthwaite continues to impress for Everton, despite not receiving a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s first-ever England squad.
But it has to be said, James Tarkowski has not done much to deserve losing his role at the back alongside the 23-year-old.
Tarkowski praised O’Brien as a ‘monster’ after really making a name for himself this year.
A back three of Branthwaite, Tarkowski and O’Brien would certainly be a formidable backline, but it would disrupt Moyes’ usual formation.
It will be interesting to see what has to give for O’Brien to return to his natural spot.