Former Everton defender Richard Dunne has called for a significant change in the team's defence next season, urging manager David Moyes to move Jake O'Brien into his natural centre-back role. O'Brien, who joined Everton from Olympique Lyonnais for £16.43 million in July 2024, has been predominantly deployed as a right-back under Moyes since the manager's return in January 2025.
O'Brien's Versatility and Potential
Despite being a natural centre-back, the 6ft 6in Irish international has adapted well to the right-back position. He had not started a Premier League game under previous manager Sean Dyche but has since built up experience in the English top flight. In the few occasions he played centre-back last season, Everton lost only once — a 2-0 defeat to champions Arsenal where they conceded two late goals.
Dunne, who made his Everton debut as a 17-year-old and later amassed 431 Premier League appearances, told the ECHO: "I think it's time to move Jake into his favoured role in central defence. He's done well at full-back and he's been game, never letting Everton down. But I think the very best out of him, long term he's going to be a centre-half."
Long-Term Vision for Everton's Defence
Dunne believes that pairing O'Brien, 25, with Jarrad Branthwaite, 24, could form a formidable and long-lasting centre-back partnership. Branthwaite has struggled with injuries, which Dunne noted has prevented him from reaching the England World Cup squad. "If they could get Jarrad to stay healthy then it's a potentially formidable partnership. It would be some size as well and physically very good," Dunne added.
Last season, Moyes primarily used James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, both now 33, as his centre-back pairing. Dunne argues that the younger duo of O'Brien and Branthwaite could be the future. "If you play the two of them together, you're looking at a centre-half partnership that could be going for the next 10 years. The two of them are of a young enough age and physically dominating with decent speed," he said.
Timing and Implementation
Dunne emphasized that now is the right time to make the switch. "Push him in and it's another six months of him learning his role as a centre-back in the Premier League. I think he's more than capable of being a top performer in the Premier League and he's shown that," Dunne stated. He also highlighted O'Brien's attributes: "He's quick, good on the turn and can make recovery runs. He's a player with a lot of potential. Now it's time to let him go, putting him in his main position."
Speaking courtesy of Harry Kane World Cup 2026 goals, Dunne expressed hope that Moyes would embrace this change. "It would be lovely for David Moyes if he could turn around and say: 'This is the future and we're going to go with it,'" he concluded.
