Everton manager David Moyes discusses why the veteran centre-back James Tarkowski, the club's on-field captain in the absence of Seamus Coleman, remains integral
James Tarkowski during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium . Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
James Tarkowski during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium . Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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James Tarkowski was a fitting hero when he opened the goalscoring against his old club Burnley last Tuesday. It paving the way to an important 2-0 Everton win at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The centre-back has been a talismanic figure since his arrival back in the summer of 2022, leading the club through crises on and off the pitch.
A key figure under each of the three managers he has played under in that time, the header helped to end a seven-game winless run at home and leave Everton well positioned for a run at Europe in the final nine matches of the season. On a personal note, it came after he had marked his 150th appearance at the club just days earlier at Newcastle United.
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His significance has not been lost on David Moyes, who like those before him - Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche - has treated the Tarkowski as an integral part of his first team.
Asked precisely what the 33-year-old means to the club, Moyes explained: “I think Tarky is a really good leader. He trains really well every day.
“He's a big example to the players in how he prepares himself and gets himself ready for the games. He has lots of really good strengths - he's got some weaknesses as well - but, overall, since I've come in, certainly he's been very good.”
Tarkowski has been the one constant in a back four that has been subjected to flux this season.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Keane, Vitalii Mykolenko and Jake O’Brien have dealt with injuries, illness and suspension at various points but the former Brentford and Burnley man has not missed a game.
Captain on the pitch when Seamus Coleman is not in the team, Tarkowski is a role model but one Moyes stresses is not untouchable - he wants those around him to look up to him but to also push for his place.
The Blues boss explained: “He is a role model [to his team-mates], but they've also got to push him and push for him to keep playing well.
“Jake and Jarrad and Keano, I've got to say when they've played centre-half, they've all played really well, so it gives me good competition, difficult decisions to make, but there is good competition with the four players I've got.”
Tarkowski, whose stoppage-time equaliser in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park etched his name in club folklore, extended his stay earlier this season when he penned a new two-year deal.
There is likely to come a time when the combination of Branthwaite and O’Brien becomes a consideration to Moyes but his biggest compliment to Tarkowski is that has not happened yet, despite the progress both have made.
He said: “I don't really think that way, I think if it's required then I would need it, but I think you'd be wrong to think that when you think of the experience of Tarkowski and Keane how they have played most of the season and how they've done.”
Moyes is also reluctant to take a leader out of the team. He added: “He is a good captain, he tries to lead the team and take responsibility.”