Sean Dyche was thrilled to see two Everton new boys get on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win over Preston North End on Saturday, alongside a host of key players returning from injury.

Second-half goals from summer signings Jake O’Brien and Jesper Lindstrom completed a comfortable friendly victory for the Toffees after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had opened the scoring from the penalty spot before half-time.

6ft 4″ centre-back O’Brien lashed home a powerful volley from the edge of the box after Preston failed to clear a delivery into the box.

61' Goal! Jake O'Brien makes an impact off the bench. A fine finish!

?? 0-2 ? https://t.co/2VsWpyRq02 pic.twitter.com/c3QQqp1YMA

— Everton (@Everton) August 3, 2024

Lindstrom’s effort was arguably even more impressive, curling a beautiful free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net from distance.

70' Goal! Another debutant on the scoresheet as Lindstrøm curls home a great free-kick!

?? 0-3 ? https://t.co/2VsWpyRq02 pic.twitter.com/A7qpKjRFnM

— Everton (@Everton) August 3, 2024

Both players were making their debuts after joining Everton from Lyon and Napoli, respectively, and Dyche was delighted to see them make a fast start to life in blue — while the likes of Tim Iroegbunam and academy graduate Harrison Armstrong also caught the eye.

“I’m really pleased for the new lads, of course. Jake and Jesper getting two different kinds of goals, but both good goals. Dom (Calvert-Lewin) was looking sharp. [There were] a lot of good habits on show today,” Dyche told evertonfc.com after Saturday’s match at Deepdale.

“You want centre-halves to score, but it’s not always that type of goal. It was a great strike.

“And Jesper, you want him to enjoy that and show signs of little bits of magic. In training, he’s looked like that, whipping them in.

“Tim (Iroegbunam) locked in another 90. He’s new to us, and young Harrison (Armstrong) getting another taste of what we’re about, so I’m pleased for him, as well.”

Preston win a step in the right direction for Everton

Saturday’s victory and the manner of the performance will come as a massive relief to Evertonians, who had watched their side fail to win any of their summer friendlies previously — 2-1 and 3-0 defeats to Salford and Coventry, respectively, following a 3-3 draw with Sligo Rovers.

Dyche himself admitted the ‘mixture’ was better, especially with the likes of James Tarkowski, Vitaly Mykolenko and Idrissa Gana Gueye returning to action.

“After Tuesday, going into this game, we expected to see a difference. We did see a difference, and of course, very important players [returning] who have shown they’re very important players over time. That mixture just felt better and looked better on the eye, as well,” said Dyche.

Everton have one more official friendly to come before they open the 2024/25 Premier League season, taking on Italian giants Roma in the last-ever friendly at Goodison Park on Saturday.

• How to buy tickets for Everton games at Goodison Park

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Everton boss Sean Dyche has denied the signing of Jake O’Brien means that Jarrad Branthwaite could be sold to Manchester United.

United have identified Branthwaite as a target and saw two offers rejected for the 22-year-old with Everton holding firm at their £70m valuation.

The Red Devils haven’t yet returned with a third offer and are still thought to be in the market for another centre back despite the signing of Leny Yoro.

United have identified Matthijs de Ligt as an alternative and have been in discussions with Bayern Munich over a potential move, which would see him reunite with Erik ten Hag.

Dyche insists O’Brien arrival doesn’t mean Branthwaite leaves

O’Brien, who has just arrived from French side Lyon for £17m has been touted by some as a replacement for Branthwaite, but Dyche remains adamant one of his star men isn’t going anywhere this summer.

“No way! You’re kidding me! I’m very surprised you’ve put two and two together at Everton Football Club,” he told Sky Sports when asked if O’Brien’s arrival had any impact on Branthwaite’s future.

“It’s nothing to do with that. It’s just to do with trying to model the club with the finances available, obviously we’re stretched at the moment with depth.

“We are trying to bring in players who can add layers to the club, younger players who can develop and protect the club both on and off the pitch with their performances and then in the future with the finances.

“It’s a tough juggling act and it’s tough to find the players who can do that, we think we have a few here.

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“We’ve made it clear to him [Branthwaite] that there’s nothing other than that. But, of course, put two and two together and everyone starts speculating. What do you do?”

Everton have already lost one key player in Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m and they will be desperate to keep hold of Branthwaite ahead of the new season.

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New Everton signing Jake O’Brien has admitted he turned down offers from ‘other clubs’ to join the Merseyside club this summer.

The Irish defender completed a £16.43m move (per Liverpool Echo) from French giants Lyon earlier this week, becoming Everton’s fourth major signing of the summer alongside Iliman Ndiaye, Jesper Lindstrom and Tim Iroegbunam.

O’Brien — capped twice for the Republic of Ireland at senior level — enjoyed an excellent season in France in 2023/24, registering five goals and two assists in 32 appearances across all competitions, while he was first among outfield Lyon players for clearances (96) and long passes completed (91) in Ligue 1.

Naturally, that sort of form attracted a number of potential suitors. However, the ‘history’ of Everton was enough to persuade him.

“I’m buzzing and so happy to have signed for Everton,” O’Brien told evertontv. “I’ve been dreaming of this kind of move in the Premier League, with such a historic club. It’s a very exciting move for me.

“Everton is a huge club with a lot of history behind it and there’s a big future as well.

“When the transfer window opened there were other clubs in for me but there was only one club I wanted to go to – it was Everton.

“They’ve shown the faith in me so now it’s my turn to show why on the pitch.”

O’Brien reveals ‘brilliant’ Seamus Coleman influence

Captain's orders: sign for the Toffees. ?@IrelandFootball ??? pic.twitter.com/3VhvINHxxB

— Everton (@Everton) July 30, 2024

O’Brien is the second Republic of Ireland international in Sean Dyche’s squad now alongside long-time club captain Seamus Coleman.

The two are, of course, already very familiar with one another and O’Brien admitted his veteran compatriot played a major role in convincing him to come to Goodison Park.

“Seamus has been on to me to sign for Everton! He’s a top guy, a brilliant captain, and to play under him here as well as with Ireland will be a privilege,” the 23-year-old said.

“He’s the best captain I’ve ever played under. He’s massively respected – not just here but in the football world in general.

“I’ve met all of the lads in the squad and you can sense straight away that it’s a tight-knit group. Obviously, having Seamus here will help me as well.”

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Everton have reached an agreement to sign Lyon’s 23-year-old Republic of Ireland defender Jake O’Brien for around €24-25million, sources have confirmed to CaughtOffside.

The 23-year-old is expected to undergo a medical with Everton today before signing a four-year contract with the Toffees.

Should Everton part ways with O’Brien in the future, Lyon would receive 10 % of the transfer fee.

Everton eventually fended off competition from Wolverhampton and Brentford to secure the services of O’Brien.

The Ligue 1 side are in for a hefty return on investment after signing the 23-year-old last summer from Crystal Palace for €1m.

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It is not anticipated that Everton signing O’Brien will impact Jarrad Branthwaite’s future at Goodison Park.

Manchester United have had two bids rejected for Branthwaite this summer and the expectation remains that he’s too expensive for the Red Devils.

Everton want at least £70m for Branthwaite and O’Brien is not being signed with a view to replacing the 22-year-old England international.

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Everton have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Lyon defender Jake O’Brien on a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

After a season which was plagued by controversy, with the Toffees receiving a points deduction mid-way through for a breach of PSR, Evertonians will be looking forward to starting on a clean plate next month.

The club have been busy in the transfer window with both outgoings and incoming with the likes of Amadou Onana departing to join Aston Villa earlier this month.

However, there may still be more departures before the window closes with English centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite heavily linked with a move away from the club after his impressive season in Merseyside.

It seems like the club has got ahead of this as they have reportedly ‘agreed a deal in principle’ for Irish defender O’Brien who currently plays for Ligue 1 side Lyon via Fabrizio Romano.

EXCL: Everton have agreed deal in principle with OL for centre back Jake O’Brien.

Medical to take place tomorrow if personal terms are agreed, five year contract on the table. pic.twitter.com/019VcS7nIx

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2024

The report claims that the 23-year-old would be handed a five-year deal with his medical taking place over the weekend.

O’Brien joined the French giants from Crystal Palace last summer and went on to make 27 appearances in Ligue 1.

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The post Everton agree deal for 23-year-old defender appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Everton and West Ham United are locked in a battle to win the race to sign Lyon defender Jake O’Brien.

The Merseyside team may have identified Jarrad Branthwaite’s long-term centre-back partner as they look to reinforce their defensive ranks this summer.

Journalist Alan Nixon claims on his Patreon that Everton are holding onto hope in the fight for O’Brien against Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

It’s time for a new centre-back, but one that is not too expensive and someone who can also play as second choice to James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.

The Lyon defender is valued at £20 million by Everton, but Lyon are eager to seek £30 million for his transfer.

In addition to welcoming Jack Harrison back on loan, the Toffees have added new players in Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye.

The Toffees have no reason not to sign O’Brien ahead of Forest and West Ham.

Nixon claims that if Everton are successful getting O’Brien, Michael Keane’s tenure with the team may come to an end.

He wrote:

‘Sean Dyche’s team rate O’Brien in the £20 million class but the French club want around £30 million which is too much for the Hammers currently.

‘Forest may have a go at that price, with the two clubs on good terms after recent business and a payment plan may be offered that helps them meet the fee.

‘If Everton land O’Brien it could open the door wider for Michael Keane to leave – with several clubs alerted to his potential availability.’

After joining from Burnley in 2017, Keane is about to enter the last year of his contract with the Merseyside club.

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Crystal Palace are expected to earn millions from any sale of Lyon’s Jake O’Brien this summer as the Irishman looks set for a return to the Premier League.

West Ham and Everton are two teams looking into a deal for the centre-back ahead of the 2024/25 campaign with talkSPORT reporting that the Hammers are leading the race for the Ligue 1 player.

New Irons boss Julen Lopetegui wants to strengthen his defence ahead of the new season and has his eye on O’Brien as the first star to help him fix the London club’s issues at the back.

According to the Daily Mail, Lyon want £15m to part ways with O’Brien this summer and that could see Crystal Palace earn millions as the Eagles have a 25 per cent sell-on clause in the Ireland international’s contract.

Therefore, should the French giants land their asking price of £15m, Palace would be entitled to £3.75m of that transfer fee.

This would be a nice boost to the Premier League side’s transfer budget as they only sold O’Brien last summer for £850,000.

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Who is Lyon’s Jake O’Brien?

Following his exit from Crystal Palace in 2023, O’Brien has impressed at Lyon throughout last season having featured 32 times for the French team in all competitions, producing five goals and two assists.

This has not only seen him get a call-up to the Ireland national team but also why West Ham and Everton are interested in the 23-year-old.

It remains to be seen if either club can get a deal over the line across the coming weeks and if they do, it will also benefit Crystal Palace as the Eagles could be about to see millions come their way.

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With three weeks left of the summer transfer window, many clubs could end up seeing players leave after their seasons have started, and that appears to be the case for one Crystal Palace star.

The Eagles were certainly flying high under Roy Hodgson in the latter part of the 2022/23 campaign, however, that wasn’t enough to be able to keep hold of their talisman, Wilfried Zaha.

Unfortunately for the Selhurst Park outfit, they are a club that are always susceptible for bids for their players given that they’re not, with respect, one of the English top-flight’s ‘bigger’ clubs.

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They have bought reasonably well in the window so far and although they’ve only got Jefferson Lerma and Matheus Franca to show for their efforts, both are great additions for Hodgson.

In an ideal world the south Londoners won’t want to lose any more players and perhaps bring in one or two more, but it appears that Jake O’Brien will be the next out of the exit door.

Crystal Palace defender Jake O’Brien set to join Lyon on a permanent deal. Long-term contract. Loan to RWD Molenbeek a possibility but not a certainty. #CPFC

— Edmund Brack (@EdmundBrack) August 10, 2023

According to a tweet from South London Press journalist, Edmund Brack, the defender is set to seal a long-term deal with French giants, Lyon.

In order for Hodgson to continue the good work he displayed when taking over from Patrick Vieira, Parish needs to get to work over the final few weeks and bring in some more bodies.

A lack of strength in depth is arguably what will kill off any European hopes that Palace may harbour at this early stage.

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After a great end of the 2022/23 campaign under Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace will be hoping to kick on at the start of the 2023/24 season and build up a decent head of steam to keep them well clear of a relegation dog-fight.

Under Patrick Vieira, the Eagles were heading for almost certain relegation last season, however, Hodgson’s arrival was like a breath of fresh air and they never looked back.

Essentially the same players that had underperformed for the Frenchman found another level under the former England coach.

Hodgson remains in charge for this season, but one player that appears unlikely to be able to penetrate the first-team is Jake O’Brien.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the defender is close to sealing another loan move to RWD Molenbeek, after he starred there during 2022/23.

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At 22 years of age, he still has the majority of his football career ahead of him, and though it might be seen as a negative that he can’t get into the Palace side at present, getting him regular minutes elsewhere rather than either sitting on the bench or playing for the youth or reserve sides, will surely be beneficial for all in the long run.

The club will almost certainly keep an eye on his development, and in 12 month’s time, if he’s proved himself at Molenbeek again, it might be the right time for the Eagles to take the plunge.

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The 2022/23 Premier League season was an interesting one for Crystal Palace, particularly once Patrick Vieira was replaced by Roy Hodgson.

The Frenchman had got a reasonable tune out of his players during the first half of the campaign, but after the turn of the year until he was sacked, the Eagles didn’t win a game.

Had Steve Parish not acted decisively Palace may well have been dragged into the relegation dogfight at the end of the season.

The re-appointment of Hodgson might have raised a few eyebrows, but the 75-year-old instantly changed the outlook as his side won their first three games and only ending up losing two of his 10 games in charge.

It still isn’t clear at this stage if Hodgson will be handed the job in 2023/24 or whether Parish will plump for a new manager, but regardless of that, there will be players that will be signed and others moved on.

For three Palace stars, they could’ve already played their final match for the south Londoners.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta is interesting Everton according to Bild, h/t London World, whilst Jake O’Brien is being courted by the City Group say the Irish Examiner.

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London News Online suggest that goalkeeper, Whitworth, is likely to be loaned out in order to gain more experience.

If all three are found new homes, it will open up spaces within the squad for whomever is the manager for next season to bring in some new players and freshen up the side over the summer.

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