Exclusive: The Everton captain reflected on last season, pre-season so far and the return of Jarrad Branthwaite with the ECHO in Hamburg
James Tarkowski of Everton
James Tarkowski of Everton(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)
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James Tarkowski admitted to being "gutted" over Everton's finish to last season as he set out his ambition to help the club improve in the upcoming campaign.
The Blues went winless through their final seven games to miss out on a spot in Europe that had looked a genuine possibility before their form collapsed in the run-in. A season of optimism and progress ended with frustration as David Moyes' side ultimately finished 13th in the Premier League - matching their final position of the previous year.
Work to push beyond that disappointment is underway and received a boost at the weekend as Everton picked up morale with a win at Hamburg and the club made a breakthrough in the transfer window, advancing towards a deal with Arsenal over Christian Norgaard.
For Tarkowski, the new season represents an opportunity to move out of the shadow cast by a difficult April and May that saw Everton lose four of their last seven after running riot against Chelsea to bring Champions League football within sight.
The centre back, the club's captain through most of the campaign in the absence of Seamus Coleman, said: "It was so disappointing. I was gutted with the way the season ended."
His team had set up the chance to push for Europe largely through another season of impressive away showings under Moyes. Wins at Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United felt like statement victories for a club that had emerged from successive relegation fights and off-the-pitch turmoil and into a stunning new stadium under the new ownership of the Friedkin Group.
Speaking exclusively to the ECHO, the only British media present for the win in Germany on Saturday, Tarkowski reflected: "[It was so disappointing] because of how much good work we did throughout the earlier part of the season. We won some massive away games last year, so it was a massive disappointment the way it ended. But, listen, today's another day."
He was keen to stress there were positive signs last season that could be built on for the new campaign - and that there was a determination to do just that. He added: "There was a lot of change last year. There was new ownership, the manager had come in six months before. There were a lot of new faces around the building, and in the dressing room... The whole feeling of the club had changed over that season. I want this club to be right up there, battling, and we got close last year to getting there, but just didn't have enough in the end. Hopefully this season goes a bit different."
The 33-year-old, who signed a two-year extension in October and is set to be one of the most influential members of the dressing room following the summer departures of Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, added: "Seasons are tough, physically and mentally, so [the summer] was a big refresh, good reset, and then you come in ready to go and looking forward to it.
"Whether you have won the league, got relegated or have come mid-table, I think you always need it. It is so demanding, mentally as much as it is just physically, they are tough seasons. Now we're ready to go again and looking forward to it."
On a personal note, this pre-season is going well for Tarkowski, who missed parts of the previous two through injury but said he felt strong after completing 90 minutes against the Bundesliga side. The 2-1 win came courtesy of a first-half Merlin Rohl strike and a stoppage time own goal, either side of an equaliser from former Leicester City forward Patson Daka.
The victory followed a draw at Bolton Wanderers and a defeat at Stoke City and so came at a useful time for Moyes and his players. Tarkowski said: "Results matter a little bit because you can build a bit of confidence and get a bit of momentum from that. These games are difficult games.
"If you lose a game, I'm not saying it's any good, but they're definitely good to build momentum. So, to get a win, even with it being an own goal, I felt the pressure leading up to the mistake was good from us. These were a good side."
Tarkowski started the game alongside Jarrad Branthwaite, who spent much of last season dealing with hamstring injuries - including the one that saw him stretchered off against Liverpool in April. The Merseyside derby was level at the time and Branthwaite's injury and Virgil van Dijk's late winner were decisive blows as Everton sought a return to Europe.
Branthwaite is working towards full fitness and this was his second start of pre-season - a welcome development for Tarkowski. He said: "We all know how good Jarrad is when he is fit and playing. He's been through a lot. I know how hard he works, he is one of the most professional players I've been around for his age. He is so in tune with his body, and what he needs now. So, fingers crossed he stays fit and on the pitch because we know what an asset to our team he is when he is."
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