When David Moyes assesses his Everton squad this summer, he will know that reinforcements will be required across a range of positions.
That said, there are several stars who need to be at the core of the Toffees’ exciting future project. Jarrad Branthwaite would be open to extending his contract, report Sky Sport, however, Liverpool and Manchester City are among the teams tracking the centre-back this season.
He’s not the only one who The Friedkin Group will need to keep on Merseyside, however. The Farhad Moshi era might have ended in dysfunction, but there was plenty of promise to be found during the 2023 summer transfer window, setting the club for future success.
Everton’s summer transfer window
Last summer, Everton signed Ndiaye from Marseille for a £15m fee as Sean Dyche attempted to pump new life into his frontline. Ndiaye certainly proved a bright spark amid a dreary few months, even being described as “dynamite” by pundit Jamie Redknapp in October.
He’s Everton’s top scorer this term with eight goals from 28 matches in all competitions, having also found new life since Moyes’ arrival, scoring in three successive top-flight wins before picking up a medial ligament injury against Liverpool
This is a cruel blow to a player who was going from strength to strength, but Moyes and co can be excited for the future with this one, for he ranks among the top 17% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers this season for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons, the top 1% for ball recoveries and the top 14% for tackles plus interceptions per 90, as per FBref.
A fan favourite and a mercurial winger, capable of dazzling things on the ball, Ndiaye is the real deal and will no doubt pique the interest of high-class suitors down the line. It’s crucial Moyes keeps him on the books.
However, Ndiaye isn’t the only one, with Orel Mangala bringing a ball-playing angle to the side before his cruel season-ending injury suffered last month; he’s a loanee, but his performances across the first half of the campaign will hopefully see the buy clause activated.
Tim Iroegbunam offers promise too, albeit having missed plenty of action due to injury.
More recently, Jake O’Brien has begun to show that his outfit hit the jackpot in bringing him to England last summer too.
Everton have hit the jackpot with Jake O’Brien
A monstrous presence at 6 foot 6, O’Brien crossed the Channel to join Lyon in 2023 after failing to break into Crystal Palace’s first team, where he was hailed as a “revelation in defence” by journalist Zach Lowy.
The 23-year-old’s mix of physicality and natural goalscoring sense makes him perfect for Moyes’ philosophy, indeed being hand-picked by Dyche – whose football isn’t all that different from the more refined Scotsman.
O’Brien is averaging goals at 0.13 per game in the Premier League while ranking among the top 1% of full-backs for clearances and the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90.
On that note, the Irishman’s value within this system has been underscored by Moyes’ decision to field him consistently at right-back, with O’Brien not making a single starting appearance in the Premier League before the managerial change in January.
Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson have both struggled with injuries across the 2024/25 campaign while Ashley Young remains an important member of the squad but at 39 years of age lacks the athleticism and vigour of a younger man. Moyes has yet to start the veteran, who played 17 times from the outset under Dyche’s wing.
Given Young has spent so much time on the field this season, it might be worth taking a look at how the respective right-backs compare in England’s top flight this season.
Premier League 24/25: Ashley Young vs Jake O’Brien
Match Stats (* = per game)
Young
O’Brien
Matches (starts)
24 (17)
10 (7)
Goals
1
1
Assists
3
0
Clean sheets
6
2
Touches*
43.0
43.2
Pass completion
73%
76%
Big chances created
4
1
Dribbles*
0.2
0.2
Ball recoveries*
2.2
3.8
Tackles + interceptions*
2.9
1.6
Clearances*
2.0
4.8
Duels (won)*
3.3 (57%)
4.1 (61%)
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see, O’Brien is proving to be a crisper defender in the duel and shows promise with his confidence, willing to get on the ball just as much as the creative Young, also making far greater clearances in a further illustration of his natural defensive skills.
Coleman’s injuries have limited him to just two Premier League starts this season. With the long-serving skipper turning 37 in October, it may be that O’Brien’s emergence has ended the careers of such veterans.
Indeed, both players have entered the final few months of their respective contracts, totalling £95k per week combined. This isn’t the most significant chunk, but it’s not pennies either.
With Patterson hoping to bounce back from his fitness problems, there may not be a place in this new world order for such players, who have earned their flowers but are being replaced by a younger and fitter generation.
Coleman’s only started nine Premier League matches since the start of last season, and while Young is still defying his twilight years with a regular role, this new full-back is proving his worth and then some, with Toffees writer Ell Bretland noting the “security of having O’Brien in there is ideal.”
O’Brien proved to be an invaluable asset for a below-par Lyon side last term that came on leaps and bounds in the latter stages, avoiding a shocking relegation which felt more than possible in the opening months.
And again, for Everton, the Republic of Ireland international is proving to be a ‘revelation’ for Moyes’ team, capable of taking the baton from Young and Coleman.
