Everton have the opportunity to make an immediate impression under David Moyes on Wednesday night against Aston Villa.
For the first time in 11 years, Moyes will be returning to the home dugout at Goodison Park after he was appointed as Sean Dyche’s successor last week.
There will be a number of players relishing the opportunity under a new manager with the 2024/25 campaign leaving a lot to be desired under Dyche.
Everton are trying to sign two new players in January with Moyes having already addressed his concerns to The Friedkin Group.
But Wednesday night’s game will see the same Everton squad turn out to which ended the Dyche tenure.
And there is one player in Jake O’Brien who has already shared a message ahead of the game against Villa at Goodison.
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Jake O’Brien shares three-word Everton message
O’Brien has shared social media messages since Dyche’s sacking which could speaks volumes about his thoughts on the matter.
It has been a really difficult spell for the Ireland international since making the move from Lyon in the summer.
And ahead of the Aston Villa game, the 23-year-old has once again posted on his Instagram story with a potential hint leading into the clash.
With a photo of him in training at Finch Farm, the centre-back added the caption: ‘See you tomorrow’.
Of course, O’Brien is expected to make the matchday squad as he did regularly under Dyche, but could this allude to a potential start for the youngster?
If nothing else, it goes to show the defenders eagerness to get up and running under Moyes after his torrid spell under the 53-year-old.
Dyche broke Everton’s promise to O’Brien of being the understudy to the starting defenders with the summer signing failing to make an impact at all.
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Should O’Brien start against Villa?
O’Brien started on Thursday night against Peterborough United in the FA Cup where he looked incredibly comfortable in the back three.
However, Everton have remained fairly solid at the back this season with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski as the regular starting pair.
It would certainly be a statement move by Moyes to take either of them out of the starting XI, but O’Brien is chomping at the bit to kickstart his Everton career.
O’Brien has received interest from foreign clubs in the January transfer market which only highlights how dire his situation became under Dyche.
Regardless of whether he starts, it seems the 23-year-old’s mood has been lifted by the developments over the last week.
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