* Tarkowski played in all bar two Premier League matches this season.
* He has only missed seven league games since arriving in 2022.
* Ex-England international has captained his side for most of the season.
**[James Tarkowski](https://readeverton.com/james-tarkowski-everton-form-decline/) has completed his fourth season with Everton.**
After suffering relegation with Burnley in 2022, he moved to Goodison Park but continued his battle with drop, as the Toffees’ Premier League status was under threat in his first three years.
This season has been different with the Blues proving to be a stable midtable outift, yet objectives were not met as they slipped on a golden opportunity to secure European football.
Tarkowksi was a starting man in David Moyes’ defence for the most recent campaign, and proved to be one of the most valuable defenders in the team.
The injury to Jarrad Branthwaite was a huge blow for Everton, and for the majority of the season they have had Michael Keane partnered with Tarkowski.
Before the run in, the pair proved to be solid, but this would eventually breakdown.
However, over the course of the season, Tarkowski blocked the most shots in the league, 52, ranked second for aerial duels amogn centre halves, 211, completed the fourth most clearances, 243, and made six goal line clearances, according to [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7305211/2026/05/26/premier-league-2025-26-tactical-trends/).
The 33-year-old is now a Premier League ‘veteran’ and is clearly able to compete at the top level of English football.
Yet with age catching up and the Blues aiming to hit the heights of European football, his time in the starting picture could come to a close.
There is no doubt he deserves a spot at Everton, but if the club are to progress, it cannot be a starting role.
The return of Branthwaite and the desire to sign a natural right back, which will allow Jake O’Brien to shift back to the heart of defence, and with it, the ideal partnership is available for the Toffees.
Branthwaite and O’Brien are 23 and 25, so there is an opportunity to build team with two relatively young centre backs, who will act as the bedrock of the starting XI.
Some of history’s greatest teams have been built on established and well connected defensive partnerships, and this is the mindset Everton must have with England and Republic of Ireland international.
This is not to suggest that Tarkowski does not have use any more, as he will be required for depth, but his days as a starting defender must come to an end.