The £13.5m summer signing from Lyon, that could emerge as a pivotal player in Everton’s new look under David Moyes, but can he help them stay up?
Who Is Jake O’Brien?
The towering 6’6” central defender, came through the academy at Cork City before moving to Crystal Palace and eventually heading to the South of France to join Lyon.
His time at Lyon started in turmoil, with the club languishing in the relegation zone for 13 matchdays in 23/24—a dire situation for one of France’s most successful clubs and her fans.
However, O’Brien also played a key role in Lyon’s recovery, becoming a mainstay in the defense, playing over 2,800 minutes, as the team climbed to a sixth-place finish in Ligue 1, securing European qualification.
He was also instrumental in their run to the Coupe de France final, where he scored in a narrow 2-1 defeat to PSG.
His dominant aerial ability and composure at the back all season caught the eye of several clubs but O’Brien opted for a move to Merseyside.
A summer move to Everton
O’Brien’s arrival initially looked to open the door for Jarrad Branthwhaite’s departure to Manchester United – although that never came to fruition which is probably why, under Sean Dyche, he struggled for game time
The 23-year-old only featured in only two league matches and all three cup fixtures under Dyche, as the Englishman slowly integrated him into the squad.
This isn’t unusual for Sean Dyche, who has a history of gradually integrating new center-backs into his squads. At Burnley, James Tarkowski had to wait 18 months before earning a regular starting role under Dyche’s cautious approach.
Similarly, Nathan Collins, signed for nearly £12 million, only became a consistent starter toward the end of Dyche’s tenure and after his departure.
Why O’Brien Fits Moyes’ System
Dyche’s departure has opened the door for David Moyes’ second spell with the Toffees, and the Scotsman is keen to see what O’Brien can do.
Unlike Dyche’s traditional defensive approach, Moyes employs a style that, while still defensivly structured, allows for more creative freedom in attack. This suits O’Brien, who combines aerial dominance with composure with the ball at his feet.
Known for trusting younger players and versatile defenders, Moyes started O’Brien in Everton’s thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham, deploying him as a right-back in place of Seamus Coleman, an unusual position for a 6’6″ giant.
Despite the adjustment, O’Brien excelled, linking effectively with Jesper Lindstrøm on the right flank and demonstrating his ability to drive forward while maintaining defensive stability.
His height makes him a threat in set-piece situations, he probably would’ve had his first Premier League goal, if Archie Gray hadn’t have turned the ball in for him at the back post for Everton’s third.