Anjishnu Roy 28/04/2025 11comments  |  Jump to last

Everton could miss James Tarkowski for the start of the 2025-26 campaign following a devastating hamstring injury to the centre-back, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider.

Tarkoswki had already been ruled out for the rest of the current campaign as well as the Blues’ pre-season preparations but his absence could be longer. The 32-year-old was forced off the pitch in the 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City on April 19.

Tarkowski will undergo surgery and his recovery and rehabilitation could extend into the new season.

He had been ever-present as captain following David Moyes’ return and Tarkowski hadn’t missed a league game since joining Everton in July 2022. His injury means he falls two games short of equalling Wayne Bridge's Premier League record of 113 consecutive starts for an outfield player.

Moyes described losing the senior defender for the current season as a “big blow”. "Tarky plays such a huge part in how we've done so well in this period," he added.

Tarkowski scored the famous last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. He was replaced by Jake O’Brien at the heart of the defence against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge while Nathan Patterson was deployed at right-back.

While Everton had already planned on acquiring a centre-back in the upcoming transfer market, Football Insider sources report that those plans are only likely to be accelerated.

 

Reader Comments (11)

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Mike Hayes
1 Posted 28/04/2025 at 15:01:35
Need a big reset in the summer but what money does the club have to spend to recruit new players. Tarkowski has formed a great partnership with Branthwaite but given his injury we need a replacement before the start of the season. We will expect to hit the new ground running after the crappy starts we’ve had in the past. Let’s hope he’s ready for the start of the season but definitely need a solid replacement
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 28/04/2025 at 15:20:14
This is what I was afraid of when we heard he was headed for surgery.

We will likely need to sign two experienced CBs this summer to backstop the two young 'uns.

Nigel Scowen
3 Posted 28/04/2025 at 15:24:10
Mike and Mike

I think Moyes said he is hopeful of having him back for pre season 🤞

Andrew Merrick
4 Posted 28/04/2025 at 15:27:05
Ok, but if we spend big on 2 CBs does that limit other (more) urgent incoming?
We need a RB, maybe a LB too, (pref fast wingbacks)
Absolutely need a striker, prem quality, proven finisher.
At least one winger, and a younger Gana too.
We will need an enormous cash injection for this, Toyota or whoever with deep pockets and belief in our brand
Alan McGuffog
5 Posted 28/04/2025 at 16:10:17
Sorry but past experience has shown us that you can add three months onto an initial, provisional, return date.
Anyone know, roughly, how much we can spend this summer ? I can see another struggle 25 / 26, sadly.
Paul Kossoff
6 Posted 28/04/2025 at 16:28:03
Could this injury be lincked to the Merseyside derby tackle? He tackles with so much force that an accumulation of impacts surely would have some affect on his body. And Tarks is not going to let slight injuries or knocks let him miss games. In other words he would not let on he was carrying an injury.
Paul Kossoff
7 Posted 28/04/2025 at 16:33:13
I've just had a nasty thought. Moyes offers new contacts to Kean and Holgate, Nooooo!😭
Danny O'Neill
8 Posted 28/04/2025 at 16:51:26
A hamstring isn't usually caused by impact Paul and he would have felt it at the time. You can't hide from a hamstring once it goes.

I don't know if you watched the recent West Brom v Derby match. Holgate had an absolute shocker.

Mike Gaynes
9 Posted 28/04/2025 at 16:53:04
Nigel, yep, fingers crossed, but I have a hard time believing that a surgically repaired 32-year-old hamstring will be ready for duty before autumn.

Alan, I'd be astonished if our new owners revealed their budget publicly.

Danny, the mere mention of Holgate's name caused me to halt my consumption of breakfast.

Alan McGuffog
10 Posted 28/04/2025 at 17:32:33
Mike, I guess I meant not so much how much our owners have to spend but how much we might be allowed to spend
Mike Gaynes
11 Posted 28/04/2025 at 17:46:48
Alan, yes, that's what I meant also. They'll have been apprised of the new FFP rules for the upcoming season and determined Everton's limits. I just think they'll keep that number to themselves.

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