Everton defender Jake O’Brien has failed to make an impact since joining the club from Lyon in the summer transfer window.
The Toffees paid £17 million to sign the Irish defender, but he has barely played this season.
The 23-year-old has made only one appearance from the bench in the Premier League, and a further two appearances have come in the Carabao Cup.
He is behind James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane in the pecking order, but the Toffees have no plans to send him out on loan in January.
According to a report from The Athletic, there has already been significant interest, including from France, where he excelled last season.
Several clubs want to sign him on loan in January, but Everton want him to keep developing at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche makes encouraging comments on O’Brien
Speaking about O’Brien last month, Sean Dyche suggested that the Irishman is behind three very good centre-backs and he will have to remain patient.
He has made a ‘positive impression’ in training, and the Everton boss has suggested that O’Brien is learning all the time.
It appears that the Toffees are pretty relaxed about his situation, and they are happy with his gradual progress. Therefore, talks of a move away from the club in January on loan is too premature.
Dyche said: “Jake’s been very patient. He’s going to have to be because he’s got three very, very good, very experienced centre-halves there.
“He knows he’s learning all the time and training very well. If they’re not ready for the Premier League, you can really hurt players, so we are trying to build them in and get them there when they are ready.”
Good decision for Everton
O’Brien has been selected for Ireland’s national team for the upcoming Nations League games, and he will hope to get some minutes.
Everton have made a poor start to the season, and they are lacking quality both going forward and defensively.
The Toffees will face some tough fixtures after the international break, and Dyche might give O’Brien a chance from the bench, especially if one or two players get injured.
If his situation doesn’t improve in the coming month, a loan move could be considered.
Everton are three points above the relegation zone, and they need to improve massively.
