Everton insiders baffled at what Sean Dyche keeps doing with £17m player

Everton’s season may not have started as planned, but with five points from their last three games they are certainly on the mend.

   Frustratingly, the Toffees have given the rest of the Premier League another advantage by losing their opening four games, but it’s never easy at Goodison Park.

   It just wouldn’t be Everton without a little extra hassle.

   Some of those poor results were regrettable, such as wasting two consecutive games 2-0, but against Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur there was no excuse for their poor performances.

   However, some place the blame solely on Everton manager Sean Dyche.

   And now some at the club are starting to question a certain decision he continues to make.

   Everton insiders question Sean Dyche’s Jake O’Brien decision

   Speaking to reporter Graeme Bailey, he would reveal exactly what Dyche continues to do that baffles many at Everton.

   He told Everton.News exclusively: “I think some people at the club are still wondering why Jake O’Brien isn’t getting a chance. If we don’t see him before January, are they looking for another centre-back? I wouldn’t rule it out.

   “Defense will be the most important thing.”

   Everton signed Jake O’Brien for £17million last summer but he is yet to make his first Premier League start.    Meanwhile, Michael Keane started all but one, replacing him as Jarrad Branthwaite returned to the first team.

   Everton fans want Jake O’Brien to replace Michael Keane

   Those at the club are not alone in their confusion over Dyche’s decision-making in this regard, with many calling for O’Brien to replace Keane in the starting side.

   After all, the 31-year-old in question spent seven long years at Goodison Park, enjoying varying degrees of success during that period.

   At times he looked like the strong, competent centre-back that Ronald Koeman signed for Burnley, but mostly he looked nervous and hardly inspired the confidence of his team-mates.

   Clearly a player who thrives in very specific situations, Keane has overseen so many management changes and suffered as a result.

   But to see him still being recognized as a prop in 2024 when Kevin Thelwell sought out O’Brien to solve this exact problem is very puzzling.

   The Ireland international arrives after an outstanding campaign with Lyon, where he proved to be a superb defender who dominated in both boxes.

   He seemed the perfect player for Dyche but continues to watch from the bench.

   It will be interesting to see if the manager changes his view of the position in the coming weeks and if internal pressures force his hand.

   That seems unlikely, especially after Dyche admitted he will ignore any advice on the Iliman Ndiaye situation.