'He reminds me of Seamus Coleman' - Everton are failing to get the best out of fringe player with 'big' potential

Everton have a player similar to Seamus Coleman who is not being used correctly.

That is according to experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Coleman is a legendary figure for the Toffees, putting his spell at the Merseyside club to an end last season.

The Irishman has not yet retired, but the 38-year-old is still without a club as he ponders his next steps.

Replacing someone who spent 17 years at Finch Farm is far from an easy task.

However, David Moyes does have a player who is similar to the fullback already at the club.

Jake O'Brien tipped for Everton starring role despite limited minutes

Jake O'Brien has found it hard to find minutes at Everton, but the Irishman has been tipped to have a starring role at the club yet.

The natural centre-back has rarely been given the chance to prove himself in that role, with uncertainty over whether his position as a right-back in Everton's defence is the right choice.

"I like him. I've always liked him. I think he's a good player. I'm not sure whether right-back's his best position, but he can certainly fulfil that role because he likes to push on. I like him as a footballer. I really do," King told Football Insider.

"He reminds me a bit of Seamus. He's a bit bigger than Seamus.

"I can remember I was working for Everton at the time when Seamus came into the football club. And he certainly got the potential to be a big name at Everton, the same as what Seamus Coleman was.

"He was a player who came in for very small money. We'd watched him from when he was playing in the Republic of Ireland team when he was 17. Then they signed him from Ireland.

"And of course, the rest is history for Seamus. He's been one of Everton's best ever players, and certainly one of Ireland's best ever players.

"And I think Jake O'Brien has shown that he's very comfortable playing at international level. And he's a very good man to have on your bench, by the way."

Why O'Brien will have to bide his time

With Everton in impressive form and yet to lose this season, making wholesale changes across the team makes little sense for Moyes.

O'Brien will ultimately have to wait on the sidelines and continue to pick up minutes as a sub.

Those short cameos will have to be taken with both hands, as they could be his only opportunity in the coming weeks to push into the team.