New Everton signing Jake O’Brien has the potential to be a future Everton captain, says Irish Fan TV’s Paul Nealon.
O’Brien, 23, joined for £17m from Lyon earlier this week after a successful single season in Ligue 1.
He joins first-choice central defensive partnership Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski but Branthwaite has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer.
“He’s quite a combative figure – big, physical, strong,” Nealon told Total Sport Merseyside’s Paul Salt. “But, he can also play out from the back as well so he has striking resemblances to the two of them [Branthwaite and Tarkowski].
“I know Everton fans are worried about whether he will be the replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite but I actually think he could probably be the partner to him if anything happens to James Tarkowski this season.
“He brings a lot of qualities because he scores goals – he scored five goals last season in 27 games, and he brings leadership as well.
“In my opinion if he hits the ground running there is no reason why he couldn’t be a future Everton and Ireland captain down the line. He’s that type of leader.
“He’s very similar to Seamus Coleman in terms of the way he’s a quiet guy off the field but leaves no stone unturned on the pitch.
“He is just a player where every time he is doubted he seems to come to show the resilience and proves everybody wrong every time.”
Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds
Jake O'Brien,James Tarkowski,Jarrad Branthwaite,Everton,Goodison Park,Paul Nealon,Seamus Coleman,Total Sport Merseyside,Irish Fan TV,Ireland
