Everton have two players whose size and speed make them ‘freak athletes’ according to James Tarkowski.
The Premier League is one of the most physically demanding leagues in the world, and it often pays to have players who are big and strong.
Everton’s squad certainly has a number of these kinds of players, and they can make life very difficult for their opponents.
And for James Tarkowski, they don’t come much more formidable than two of his fellow centre-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien.
James Tarkowski lauds physical specimens Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien
James Tarkowski warming up for Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Standing at 6ft 5in and 6ft 6in tall respectively, Branthwaite and O’Brien are certainly an imposing pair.
But despite their height, both players can get across the ground relatively quickly.
And because of this, David Moyes has not been afraid to get both players into the full-back positions at various times this season.
Tarkowski said of them in an interview with Toffees TV: “We know Jake and Jarrad are freak athletes, rapid, rapid across the pitch, cover the ground so quickly, both technically good on the ball as well.
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“So at this kind of level, I think you just got to understand each other’s games quite well. And I think we’ve done that pretty well so far.”
Everton’s backline could be set for years to come
There is cause for real excitement over Branthwaite and O’Brien, who have already been tipped as the long-term pairing for Everton.
We haven’t seen them play together in the middle too often. But it’s only a matter of time until that happens.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien warm up for Everton.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Tarkowski has been a fantastic servant, but he is coming to the end of his career and may switch to a rotation basis from next season, although he’ll not make it easy for the others.
But Branthwaite – who didn’t join his Everton teammates for warm weather training – and O’Brien are definitely the future, and their size and speed should help them to thrive in the backline, as we have already seen.
The ceiling is especially high for Branthwaite, who has the potential to become a future captain of Everton.
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