James Tarkowski is Everton’s most underrated player

Everton’s decision to sign centre-back James Tarkowski on a free transfer from Burnley in 2022 is undoubtedly one of their best transfer moves in recent years. He was brought in to strengthen a defence that had struggled to stay afloat in the Premier League, and the club expected plenty from him when he arrived.

While Everton have continued to struggle at the wrong end of the table, Tarkowski has become the club’s most important defensive option. The 31-year-old, who has not missed a league match over the past two seasons, has helped the team keep 22 clean sheets during that period.

With Everton’s ownership issues on track to be resolved this summer, the team could become an attractive proposition to sports bettors next season. Fans inclined towards betting on football will recognise Tarkowski’s influence on the Toffees and may feel he can lead them to a top-half finish Bookmakers are tipping Everton to finish in the bottom five next term, but they will rightly have their sights set on upsetting the applecart.

Woan’s comments highlight Tarkowski’s importance to Everton

Having featured in every league game over the last two years, Tarkowski is guaranteed to be a cornerstone of Everton’s defensive unit next season. He may have a new partner at the back if Jarrad Branthwaite heads elsewhere during the summer transfer window. While the 22-year-old has garnered many of the headlines at Everton, it would be wrong to assume that he is the dominant force in the partnership.

Tarkowski topped the Premier League standings for aerial duels won last season and also outshone his partner for blocks, interceptions and clearances. His performances have understandably attracted praise from inside the club, with manager Sean Dyche often complimenting the former Burnley defender.

Assistant manager Ian Woan, who was on Dyche’s staff at Turf Moor, believes Tarkowski’s form warrants a return to international football for the first time since 2018.

“He has been incredible – he’s hugely underrated,” Woan told The Athletic before Everton played Manchester City earlier this year.” With his form and his consistency, I have no clue how he doesn’t get in the England squad. He was never our captain at Burnley, but he’s just matured into a proper fella - a really good professional and a leader. He cares, he wants to affect people around him, make people better and he puts such a demand on them.”

Branthwaite has benefited from partnering with Tarkowski

Woan’s point about Tarkowski influencing the players around him rings true where Branthwaite is concerned, with the 22-year-old making massive strides since being paired with him. His progression has allowed Everton to slap a £70 million price tag on his head, which has been enough to persuade Manchester United to look elsewhere.

The unknown element for potential suitors is how Branthwaite would perform without alongside him, and £70m is a big gamble to take without that knowledge. This factor is reportedly playing into Everton’s hands, with Dyche now expecting the talented centre-back to be in his squad for the 2024/25 campaign. His partnership with Tarkowski would give Everton a solid foundation to work with during what will be the club’s final season at Goodison Park.

Sticking around for at least another season would probably benefit Branthwaite and repay Everton for their role in his development. If Branthwaite decides his future lies elsewhere this summer, the move would not necessarily hinder Everton’s hopes of climbing the table next term. The club could use the fee from his sale to strengthen the squad, which would boost their hopes of finishing in the top half of the table.

They could do this safe in the knowledge that Tarkowski would be on hand to forge a new successful partnership with whoever was signed to replace Branthwaite.

Tarkowski is starting to get the praise he deserves

Tarkowski’s ability to gel with other centre-backs has been prevalent throughout his career and is a skill which people in football are finally recognising. They include former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown, who believes Tarkowski would be a solid defensive asset for any top-flight club.  

“I’ve watched the adversity with Everton for such a long time now and I feel like he is an organiser - he has that presence,” he told the BBC. “Aerially he is very, very good, strong in a tackle and at set-pieces. Having that organisation is key. “He is the one you would have in the side straight away. He is a good defender - really solid. You wouldn’t want to run into him - you would come out second best, for sure. Having that relationship already with Sean Dyche from their time at Burnley will have helped. If you asked Dyche about him when he came in, straight away he would have said: 'I know what he is going to do’. He is the kind of player who will be looked at by some of these other clubs because he is a nice blend - a ball-playing centre-back who is aggressive and tough tackler.”

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