Everton badly need to sign a natural right-back in the summer transfer window.
David Moyes has persisted with a central defender in Jake O’Brien in that area for most of this season, giving Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman just 251 minutes of Premier League action between them.
Everton did try to sign a proper right-back in January, as TEAMtalk claimed that Jayden Bogle was a target, only for Leeds to stand firm and tell the Toffees to look elsewhere.
Since then, the Englishman has been in fantastic form over at Elland Road – showing Moyes exactly what he missed out on.
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Everton were barking up the right tree with Jayden Bogle but now seem perplexed
The Leeds No.2 has played a key role in helping the Whites survive this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
With those four assists – all of which have come in the Premier League – Bogle has been even more creative than Omar Marmoush, Alex Iwobi, Phil Foden, Amad Diallo, Iliman Ndiaye, Bryan Mbeumo and Enzo Fernandez.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season this term, showing real confidence in his ability down the right flank, stepping up when it comes to creating goals and keeping opposition wingers quiet.
Now, the recruitment team seem unsure about what type of right-back should be targeted. Arsenal No.4 Ben White is being considered, but like O’Brien, he is also a natural centre-back.
Rico Lewis has also been linked, but the Manchester City No.82 has more experience in central midfield.
When you watch Everton play under Moyes, there is a distinct lack of presence down the right side, with O’Brien rarely overlapping due to the fact it does not come naturally to him, as a central defender by trade.
It has made the Toffees easier to play against, with opponents aware that most of the attacking play will come down the left with Vitalii Mykolenko and Ndiaye.
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Had Everton signed Bogle in January – who Leeds paid £5m to take from Sheffield United in July 2024 – it could have helped Moyes significantly in the battle for European football, which now looks difficult after successive defeats against Liverpool and West Ham.
A summer swoop for the former Derby man could still be possible, but after his strong finish to this season, Leeds would surely demand a fortune to sell.
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