“What on earth was that”- The Esk blasts Sean Dyche after what ‘class act’ Jake O’Brien did for Everton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday

“What on earth was that”- The Esk blasts Sean Dyche after what ‘class act’ Jake O’Brien did for Everton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday

Jake O’Brien was a “class act” for Everton in their 1-0 win against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday, according to The Esk.

Paul Quinn, who goes by The Esk, was impressed with the three-time Ireland international’s performance at right-back on 25 January.

The Everton insider also hit out at Sean Dyche for refusing to play the centre-back more often before being replaced by David Moyes earlier this month.

“O’Brien, I mean, what on earth was going through Dyche’s mind?”, The Esk said on the Taking the Blues podcast, as quoted on his personal website (27 January).

“And this is not going to be a Dyche knocking session. But what on earth was going through his mind when he thought that this kid wasn’t ready for Premier League football? 

“I don’t know, because, you know, it’s early in his career, but he looks a class act and he wasn’t out of place.

“And he is a different player, obviously, from our other two centre-backs, but he just slotted in very, very nicely.”

Jake O’Brien repaying David Moyes faith at Everton

Everton forked out £16.4million to sign O’Brien from Lyon ahead of the 2024-25 season [BBC].

However, the 23-year-old found playing time hard to come by under Dyche in the first half of the season, earning just 216 minutes of playing time across all competitions.

In contrast, the defender has already made three appearances for Moyes, starting in their wins consecutive Premier League wins against Tottenham and Brighton.

While The Esk described O’Brien as a “class act”, the Scottish tactician deserves credit for giving him a chance at right-back despite having Ashley Young, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson in his ranks.

Dyche, meanwhile, refused to use him more often to avoid changing his preferred two-man centre-back pairing of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski.

It remains to be seen if the former Lyon central defender can make that full-back position his own at Goodison Park between now and the end of the season.

In other Everton news, one club have increased their offer for this Toffees star after what Moyes said.

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