---
title: "Everton told to sign a right-back by an unlikely voice"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-andy-burnham-right-back-transfer-plea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-08-07T06:24:09Z"
modified: "2026-08-07T06:24:13Z"
---

# Everton told to sign a right-back by an unlikely voice

**Andy Burnham has a clear message for the [Everton](https://readeverton.com/) recruitment team: sign a right-back.**

Speaking exclusively to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/), Prime Minister and lifelong Evertonian Burnham said Jake O’Brien has been asked to do a job he shouldn’t have to. “Poor old Jake can’t do another season at right-back,” Burnham said. “He’s a good player, he’s a great centre-back. Buy a right-back.”

Burnham backed David Moyes and the direction of the club under its new ownership, praising the football played at the Hill Dickinson last season and pointing to squad depth as the reason a strong campaign faded late on.

He also made a personal plea for Everton to keep hold of Jack Grealish, calling him “a joy to watch” last term.

Asked for a quickfire prediction on where Everton will finish this season, Burnham backed seventh, with Man City to win the title.

Burnham, who says he doesn’t usually eat during matches, admitted he made an exception for Grealish-themed doughnuts last season, joking that his nieces helped fund what he called “the Grealish fund” at around £8 a doughnut.

Everton’s right-back options remain thin, with O’Brien currently the only recognised cover in the position.

*\[You can follow all of Everton’s window business on our [live transfer tracker](https://readeverton.com/2026/08/06/everton-2026-summer-transfer-tracker-every-deal-live/).\]*