David Moyes has new Everton headache as Jake O'Brien exposed again, the stats are alarming

Jake O'Brien has given David Moyes and his transfer chiefs a lot to think about back at Everton this summer.

The 25-year-old featured out of position for most of the 2025-26 campaign, likely a far cry from his expectations following his opening season on Merseyside.

With Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson spending too much time on the treatment tables, Moyes has had no other option but to place his big-money centre-back at right-back.

While the tactic has worked in some games, the Republic of Ireland international has often been exposed in the position, and it was no different on Saturday, 6 June.

Jake O'Brien struggles yet again in international friendly

His display in Ireland's 1-1 draw with Canada makes things even more difficult for Moyes, however, given that he was in a more natural position.

O'Brien partnered up with Nathan Collins and James Abankwah in a back-three formation, but even that appeared to be too much for the Toffees man.

Scoring an own goal was just the tip of the iceberg, with only 78 per cent of his passes completed, just one tackle, being dribbled past once, and winning just 33 per cent of his ground duels [FotMob].

It is a nightmare situation for Everton. If he struggles as a centre-back, and can't be a long-term solution at full-back, what does his future hold?

Who could Everton sign to replace the Ireland international?

O'Brien is contracted at the Hill Dickinson Stadium until the summer of 2028, so there will be no fears over losing money on the defender.

He just doesn't appear to be the right fit on Merseyside, especially if Moyes is going to continue playing his out of position.

Everton's interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka makes total sense, and with the player available for a bargain after West Ham United's relegation, it's a no-brainer deal.

But he isn't the only option that the Toffees are considering, with Neco Williams, Ben White and Georgios Vagiannidis all on the club's radar.

Whatever is decided this summer, it is clear that at least one of these figures need to be signed, no matter the fee, with the right-back spot obviously a problem for Moyes and his team.