This is a name that did not stay with Olympique Lyonnais for long, but which still remains respected by Lyon supporters. Arriving on tiptoe a year ago for €1 million from Crystal Palace – after a loan from Molenbeek in Belgium – the 1m97 giant quickly found a place in the starting eleven, first with Fabio Grosso then with Pierre Sage and will have rendered great services to his club in the midst of a crisis, notably by scoring 5 important goals.
Only 36 minutes played in the Premier League
But after only one season in the Rhone, the Irish central defender reached an agreement with Everton for a transfer worth around €18 million. O’Brien therefore signed a 5-year contract with the other club Liverpool, which was coming off a difficult season in the Premier League. For his first friendly match with the Toffees, he distinguished himself by scoring a superb half-volley against Preston North End. But since then, the man who became an Irish international last March has been going through a very complicated period.
After 90 minutes played against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, Jake O’Brien has not started a single Premier League match for Everton. He played the entire defeat against Southampton, still in the League Cup (1-2), but apart from 27 minutes of play at Aston Villa on September 14, he has not played again in the Premier League. Sometimes absent from Sean Dyche’s group, the Irishman is currently going through a difficult period.
Jake O’Brien doesn’t worry
“If he didn’t start it’s because Michael Keane had a very good pre-season and he’s a very experienced Premier League player. Jake doesn’t have this experience yet, but he will learn quicklyexplained his coach, about his playing time. “His time will come. The learning curve is not limited to the physical aspect of the game, but also learning to meet the challenges of the Premier League and a club as big as Everton. Opportunities are limited for everyone due to the pressure of the first division.he assured.
Since September 17, Jake O’Brien had not been launched by his coach… until this weekend, when he was able to play 9 minutes of play during the heavy defeat at Manchester United (0-4). But for all that, the central defender is not worried: “I knew coming here I would have to be patient. I know that in the other clubs I have been to, patience is an integral part of the process. Once I get my chance, I hope I grab it with both hands and go from there.”assured the ex-Lyonnais. Appreciated internally and by its partners, the Irish giant will therefore have to continue working to regain the rise it experienced with OL.
