Sean Spenser

He has scored two equalisers in less than a month, but Jake O’Brien’s influence on Everton extends beyond a couple of goals. With each passing week, he looks less like a centre-half playing out of position on the right and more like a natural full-back. The 23-year-old, a £17m summer signing from Lyon, does the defensive basics well: 1️⃣ Ranks in top 1% for clearances among his positional peers 2️⃣ Top 2% for aerial duels won 7️⃣ Top 7% for tackle success (75%) 9️⃣ Top 9% for fewest challenges lost Having someone of his size (6ft 6in, 198cm) rampaging up and down the wing may seem idiosyncratic. These areas are usually home to pint-sized rockets and sprinters, and the plan for the Ireland international is to move him into central defence. But O’Brien’s temporary conversion to what Moyes calls a “false right-back” is working. Everton’s calculation in buying O’Brien last summer was they could not let the opportunity of signing someone with the potential to be a key Premier League defender go to waste. Director of football Kevin Thelwell, who brought him to Goodison, will leave Everton when his contract expires at the end of the season. The ever-improving Irishman is a significant parting gift. ✍️ @Paddy_Boyland 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/6205936…