Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
Everton have now been told that Tottenham didn’t sign one Toffees star because he was considered ‘overweight’ by the scouts observing him.
One of Everton’s best players right now might have been playing for Tottenham Hotspur, had a scouting trip David Pleat was sent on gone differently.
The former Spurs scout has now told the story of how he wasn’t impressed by James Tarkowski, despite being offered him for £400,000.
Everton’s band of brothers have rallied after a difficult summer - but who has been their best player this season so far?!
Other (name in the comments)
Hall is the heart and soul of the team , but a vote for Tarkovski. He bullies opponents and is the minder of the team. I actually think he got us through the relegation troubles. Not what he was but I'm eternally grateful to him
Mykolenko has been consistent so far and having an excellent season. Currently, only Califori is a better left back in the prem than him
@gramorris if I was Graham I would be saying yo moyes I've been on the bench for the last 5 games I'm not going on lone and I will be going to my agent to get me a transfer to a club that believe in young talent
David Pleat on when he scouted James Tarkowski
David Pleat has appeared on the Last Word On Spurs podcast and has told the story of when he scouted Everton captain James Tarkowski for Tottenham.
“I also remember going to watch Tarkowski at Crawley for Oldham, very clearly. A bit overweight, I thought, at the time. I was assured by the old chairman, who I knew, Mr Corney, who said, “Go and watch him. £400,000.
“I watched him play, and I thought, A, he’s heavy; B, he may not be the quickest on the turn; and he likes that honeymoon ball too much, from centre-back to outside-right. Oh, and he could hit it well. Tarkowski, I don’t see him doing it now so much.”
This all happened back when Tarkowski was at Oldham from 2011 until 2014, and since then, Pleat’s criticisms have been proven wrong pretty emphatically.
Tarkowski has made 350 Premier League appearances, scored 13 goals, and made 12 assists in his career to date at both Burnley and Everton, becoming one of the most underrated defenders in the league, and has aged like a fine wine in David Moyes’ defence.
Any criticism Pleat had on Tarkowski’s weight was misguided, as despite his big frame and now his age factoring in, Tarkowski still has a speed reaching 31.5 km/h, which is more than quick enough for what is asked of him.
Tarkowski is built in the exact way you would want a centre-back to be, is incredibly strong, and one of the most physical in the league. Absolutely not fitting the concerns Pleat had about him.
Had Spurs overlooked this, Tarkowski could have been a starter for them in the past five years instead of some of the terrible centre-backs that have graced their line-ups.