Everton stars are enjoying their summer break playing internationally, and it’s always good to see players go against each other.
This happened with Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye, who faced off for their respective nations of Ireland and Senegal.
Both of David Moyes’ stars have enjoyed impressive seasons and have probably been among the top three players of the season.
There’s an argument to be had, but the Irishman’s turnaround in the second half of the season was brilliant to see, with O’Brien enjoying his right-back role.
For a man mountain in O’Brien to be playing full-back is peculiar, but the same happened when the Everton defender met Ndiaye, and this is how he fared.
Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
How Everton’s Jake O’Brien fared against Iliman Ndiaye in Ireland vs Senegal
The 24-year-old has proven to be a brilliant example around the club, as it even looked likely that O’Brien would leave under Sean Dyche.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the case, and the defender got his resurgence under Moyes as the 6’6 stalwart flourished at right-back.
It looks like O’Brien will firmly be in Moyes’ plans next season, and the Scotsman might have been surprised to see the defender on the bench vs Senegal.
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In an encounter which ended 1-1 with the likes of Ismalia Sarr getting on the scoresheet, Ndiaye got the start with O’Brien eventually coming on with 23 minutes left to play.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was on the bench and didn’t feature, but it was the brief battle Ndiaye and O’Brien got on the left-hand side which would’ve caught Evertonians’ eyes.
Irish outlet Balls.ie assessed O’Brien’s display with the Toffees star playing at right-back, which is a rarity for his country, but the consensus was that O’Brien ‘looked solid at right back after his introduction’ which granted him a 6/10.
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Ndiaye’s performance for Senegal in the Everton face-off
With the game seeming evenly matched, it would’ve been frustrating that fans couldn’t see more of Ndiaye against O’Brien.
The Everton winger has been sensational this season as Ndiaye took the final match ball of Goodison Park, and the 25-year-old will only improve under Moyes next season.
Ndiaye shared his appreciation for Seamus Coleman after the game had finished, in what was a solid showing for Ndiaye as well as O’Brien.
Ndiaye’s statistics in Ireland 1-1 Senegal
Minutes played 90
Passing accuracy % 88%
Dribble success % 100% (5/5)
Tackles won 2/4
Ground duels won % 79%
With the season now finished, it’s time for these key players around the club to work hard as Moyes begins to lay the foundations down for the next campaign.