James Tarkowski playing for Everton.
Photo by Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton’s unbeaten Premier League record finally fell at the weekend as Chelsea won 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but James Tarkowski’s great form continued.
The Toffees came unstuck at home with Pedro Neto scoring a brace for the visitors. Everton struggled to create meaningful opportunities in the game, and David Moyes has come in for criticism for his approach to the game.
The feeling for many was that Everton were not ambitious enough, and that Moyes made some questionable substitutions towards the end.
It was a deserved defeat in truth. But it has to be said, James Tarkowski was one player who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
And the performance came hot on the heels of some transfer whispers about the player.
It's a first defeat of the season for Everton as they lose 2-0 to Chelsea 😡 Give us YOUR reaction 👇
@p.molloy236 it's been the same for a long time he is to set in his ways and and are players are not good enough not fit enough not quick enough and unless theire a vast change we will be lucky to finish with 35 points
@anthonymanley1956 I agree. Why not Alcaraz, Dibling, Hackney, or Graham for uselss Barry?
Barry didn't have a clue where or what to do yesterday! Can't pass, tackle, or hold up play; always offside. Misses sitter after sitter. give young Graham a chance
Everton cannot lose James Tarkowski amid Chelsea interest
It was suggested by podcaster and journalist Si Phillips last week that Chelsea might hold some interest in Everton captain Tarkowski.
We have seen them signing some older players recently, including Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, after missing out on Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka.
Potentially they could end up making a move for Tarkowski, although it is worth waiting for some more concrete links before getting too concerned.
Tarkowski vs Chelsea
Minutes played – 90+
Touches – 71
Passes completed – 37/54 (69%)
Duels won – 10/14 (71%)
Defensive actions – 8
But one thing is for sure, Everton need to avoid losing this player at all costs, because it’d be foolish to sell.
Tarkowski may actually be Everton’s standout player so far after seven Premier League games. Aside from his colossal performance against Chelsea, the Englishman has been solid since the start of the campaign, and his partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite has been one of the most impressive aspects of the team.
Calls were quite loud for him to be dropped going into this season. But he has responded magnificently, and relished wearing the captain’s armband.
Not only would Everton lose someone who constantly puts their head in where it hurts, and perfectly embodies the David Moyes way, but they would also lose a player who shows brilliant leadership, at a time when that simply cannot happen.
“I thought it was a close game.” 💬 James Tarkowski gives his verdict as Everton fall short against Chelsea 🔵 🎙️ @jules_breach | TNT Sports and HBO Max 📺 https://t.co/AJ9sVQRNzd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 17, 2026
Maybe Chelsea will come in with a bid that will unsettle Everton, knowing that the player is 33 and only has a contract with the club until the summer of 2028.
But Everton should resist any temptation to cash in, because it risks really unsettling not just the backline, but the whole squad. There is surely more value, at this stage, in keeping rather than selling.
It is certainly difficult to see Moyes allowing a Tarkowski exit, and hopefully there will be no pursuit of the veteran in January as Everton seek to reinforce rather than weaken.