- Jake O’Brien has played 32 Premier League games for Everton this season.
- He has been a key component in a defence that has achieved 11 clean sheets.
- Defender has opened up on the loss and the Toffees’ final fixtures of the season.
After a tough start of Merseyside, Jake O’Brien has settled into life at Everton as a key defender.
Although playing the majority of his career at centre back, he has been the Toffees’ starting right back since David Moyes returned to the club in January 2025.
The right side of defence is not his natural position, and he has shown limitations in his attacking play, but in Sunday’s defeat against Liverpool, his cross lead to Everton’s gut-wrenching disallowed goal.
Losing to the Reds has left its scars but the Irish international has opted to take positives from the results and insists the Blues are still firmly in the race for Europe.
Jake O’Brien claims Everton ‘right in’ the European race
Speaking to the club, O’Brien is confident in the Toffees’ European charge but understands how tight it is at the moment.
He said: “There are still a few games to go and we’re right in it.
“It’s very tight in the table, with a few games to go and we’re looking to go to everyone and get results.”
The 24-year-old played the full match in Everton’s clash against Liverpool, and he thought the performance was still a positive one.
He added: “I thought we played well for the majority of the game and had the better chances, then let ourselves down with a poor goal at the end.
“Coming into a game like this is huge. Moments in a game can go for or against you but we stayed in it.
“Moments can be capitalised on, and they scored a goal at the end that was really poor.
“I think we were the better team on the day. The fans were really good, as well.”
Jake O’Brien needs to be shifted to centre back
O’Brien has been a fantastic servant for Everton since moving from Lyon in 2024.
He has been happy to play out of his natural position and is willing to give his all for the shirt, regardless of where he is playing on the pitch.
But in the few games he has played at centre back, the Irishman has shown his skill in the heart of defence and the Blues must reposition him there.
It is imperative the Toffees find a natural right back to become a greater attacking force, but they must also ensure they position a player of O’Brien immense skill in his favoured are of the pitch.
