Jake O’Brien may have handed James Tarkowski a reprieve at Everton.
It’s a weekend of rest for the Toffees as the FA Cup takes centre stage, meaning time for David Moyes to consider how he’s going to proceed without Jake O’Brien.
Who should be Everton’s starting centre-backs for next season? 😬
Ross Sykes could provide a dominant replacement for Michael Keane! 🤩
Ross Sykes playing in the Champions League for Union SG against Atletico Madrid.
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Against Bournemouth, O’Brien was sent off after bringing down Amine Adli as the last man.
He will now miss the Manchester United game, and it will be interesting to see how Moyes covers his absence.
But one man who this red card is potentially good news for is James Tarkowski.
James Tarkowski has one less rival after Jake O’Brien red card
Everton’s defensive backline has seen a number of changes this season, but Tarkowski has been the one constant.
He has played every single minute of the Toffees’ campaign so far, underlining his importance for the manager.
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But just lately, Tarkowski has come in for a bit of criticism from fans.
He has set a high level in previous seasons, but overall this term he hasn’t quite been as consistent.
Jake O'Brien playing for Everton.
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
Now, his position as a regular starter has seemingly not been in any jeopardy; it’s clear Moyes has viewed him as integral.
But with all four centre-backs having been available, he has no longer looked as nailed on for the starting XI.
We’ve seen O’Brien shine when he’s played in his natural position in the middle, and recently Jarrad Branthwaite returned from injury. And data also indicates Everton conceded fewer when O’Brien plays centrally.
Branthwaite is Everton’s best defender and ought to be playing as the left centre-back. That just leaves the right centre-back position, and many feel the O’Brien-Branthwaite partnership is the future.
But O’Brien’s red card does now give the flailing Tarkowski a bit of a reprieve.
He now has the chance to get back on track with O’Brien – who cost Everton £17 million (Sky Sports) – out of the picture, and solidify his position a bit more so that he doesn’t lose his place once the Irishman is back available.
Michael Keane also clearly in David Moyes’ thoughts
Tarkowski – who Michael Ball recently suggested should be dropped following poor performances – also really needs to rediscover his mojo because O’Brien isn’t the only one breathing down his neck for minutes.
Michael Keane had a very good first half of the season playing next to Tarkowski and will be champing at the bit to get back into the backline.
James Tarkowski playing for Everton.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
He recently started in the middle against Brighton as Moyes shunted O’Brien and Branthwaite out wide, and clearly Keane is still in the manager’s thinking.
So the next few games are really important for Tarkowski.
Unless he really picks up, we may soon see him dropped for the first time in 2025/26/
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