Jake O'Brien 'knocking on David Moyes' door' after being 'annoyed' by Everton situation
Jake O'Brien will be frustrated with his situation at Everton but likely has not fallen out with David Moyes.
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 25-year-old has not featured off the bench even once so far this season, despite making 40 appearances across all competitions in the last campaign.
O'Brien was linked with a move away from Everton in the final weeks of the transfer window, and has reportedly been keen to return to his natural position of centre-back.
The trouble is that Moyes has shown no signs of wanting to play him there, with Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane all appearing to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
Merlin Rohl's emergence and Ainsley Maitland-Niles' arrival now appear to have limited any chances at right-back, too, further fuelling doubt over O'Brien's future.
Jake O'Brien has 'never played in the position he wants'
King told Football Insider that a deal was agreed that would have seen O'Brien return to Crystal Palace this summer for around £24million.
The agreement collapsed in the final days of the window, leaving the Ireland international in limbo.
With his contract due to expire in 2028, it appears inevitable that O'Brien will leave the club within the next year, but there may still be a chance that he returns to competition this season.
"If David Moyes is going to spend that kind of money [£17m], then as he's done in the last couple of seasons, really, he's played," King told Football Insider.
"I think the thing that's annoyed O'Brien is that he's never played in the position he wants to play in. He's been used in many positions, and I feel that I don't think they fell out.
"I think that the problem with O'Brien is, and he's knocking on David Moyes's door, he wants to be in the starting eleven. He wants to be playing every week.
"And of course, the thing that happened in the summer hasn't helped, has it? You know, the Crystal Palace business."
Everton depth to force David Moyes decision
Everton hoped to add depth to Moyes' squad in the summer, but they ultimately have been left even lighter.
Maitland-Niles' deadline day arrival was to replace both Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson, and despite Rohl's strong start in the position, it cannot be ignored that he missed months of action through injury last season.
The same can be said of Branthwaite, and with both Tarkowski and Keane set to turn 34 this season, there are bound to be issues for Moyes to navigate.
O'Brien's presence may well be vital in that case, and such an opportunity may be just what he needs to prove that he belongs in his favoured position.