View: Dyche may be forced to start Everton ace amid development, his time is now

Sean Dyche must select Jake O’Brien to start for Everton over Michael Keane to stand any chance of beating Newcastle United on Saturday (5 October).

The Blues have been dealt a crushing blow heading into the tie at Goodison Park with Jarrad Branthwaite reportedly set to miss out after sustaining a minor muscle injury [The Mirror] in a disappointing development after the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace last weekend.

That marked Branthwaite’s first appearance of the season due to a separate injury, and it was Michael Keane who started alongside James Tarkowski throughout the five-match winless run wherein the pair conceded 14 Premier League goals.

In truth, Keane’s return to the starting lineup would leave the Toffees facing an uphill battle before a ball has been kicked.

Instead, Dyche should make the bold choice to hand O’Brien his first Premier League start against Newcastle and place his faith in the summer signing. It is his time to prove what he can do.

Jake O’Brien must start over Michael Keane for Everton

The fact that Branthwaite’s return to first team action coincided with Everton recording their first Premier League win of the campaign is no coincidence.

His absence will be a massive loss for the Blues, who are looking to win consecutive league matches and throws a massive spanner into Dyche’s plans.

Keane is simply not of the required calibre to represent the Blues and his tendency for an error has proven costly on several occasions. Despite the prospect of the Magpies lining up without Alexander Isak at Goodison Park [Craig Hope], the 31-year-old will undoubtedly struggle against the opposition attack.

Evertonians would rather see a youth prospect lineup alongside Tarkowksi than Keane and Dyche’s fixation with his former Burnley defender needs to stop and could cost him his job sooner rather than later if he persists.

With Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate departing this summer, O’Brien was recruited to bolster the defensive ranks, and considering the 6ft 4in centre-back as fourth in the pecking order at Goodison Park is farcical given the £17m outlay the club paid for his signature.

While the jury is still out on O’Brien, the promise of his success is worth the gamble compared to the certain mediocrity the Blues will be inflicted with if Keane gets the nod on Saturday.

In other Everton news, a takeover update at Goodison Park as the impact of Leadenhall’s move on the Dan Friedkin deal emerges.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post View: Dyche may be forced to start Everton ace amid development, his time is now appeared first on Goodison News.