The Tremendous Tarkowski: An Ode To A Footballing Throwback

 

April 6th, 2022. A day of despair for many an Evertonian. A truly desperate season was unravelling for Everton and their new manager at the time, Frank Lampard. Lampard had been appointed only three months prior to his side’s trip to Turf Moor, following a somewhat bizarre recruitment process to find the club’s successor to Rafael Benitez. 

Lampard was the antithesis of Benitez — young, charismatic, positive, and most importantly, unsullied by former allegiances to the dark side of Merseyside. Yet, the results continued to falter.  

Burnley 3-2 Everton 

A scoreline that sank stomachs. The result made the impossible feel possible. Everton were heading towards the precipice of eternal damnation. In a footballing sense, at least... 

Thankfully, if you’re an Everton faithful, the worst did not come to pass. Everton survived (just).  

Besides the gravity of the unfolding situation at the club, one player caught the eye that day. Despite his hefty contributions, it was not Richarlison. He was not flashy, skillful, Brazilian, nor did he cost 50 million. But he was, however, brilliant.  

James Tarkowski.  

Fast forward to 2026, Everton Football Club continues to infuriate and bewilder. This is now (thankfully) largely due to circumstances off the field. An ownership group so out of touch with what makes our club special, they found themselves willing to sell one of their club’s most valuable young asset’s, in Harrison Armstrong.  

Thankfully, this madness did not transpire. With David Moyes once again at the helm, the good ship Everton continues to sail towards what we pray to be a steadier and eventually much brighter future.  

Great institutions are built on solid foundations. James Tarkowski is that, and much more. What made his performance so eye-catching on that dark day in 2022 is that it felt like we were watching an Everton player wearing the wrong colours of claret & blue. He was exceptional. Last-ditch tackles, brave in the header, courageous when marshaling his back line; he was everything Everton needed but oftentimes lacked during the season. He embodied everything Everton fans love to watch on that day.  

Thankfully, the allure of perpetual stress and uncertainty was too tempting for Tarkowski to turn down. Following Burnley’s relegation, he joined the mad house.  

Colossal in stature and in performance, Tarkowski has been the bedrock from which Everton has been able to extend its proud record of consecutive top-flight seasons. His no-nonsense sensibilities, combined with his leadership presence, and a keen understanding of the footballing dark arts have endeared him to a fan base well-versed in such.  

Tarkowski’s performances have gone from strength to strength under Moyes. Two victories in a matter of days against Newcastle United, underpinned by Tarkowski’s defensive masterclass, have meant his and the club’s stock continues to rise.  

He just does the basics fantastically well. In a world of split centre-backs, passing out from the back, Tarkowski stands as a prototypical throwback to a bygone era of no-nonsense defending and organisation.  

Yet this analysis does not do justice to his longevity and consistency. Arguably, what is most impressive about his body of work, is that at 33, many may have expected his best days to be behind him. Many may have expected a younger model to replace the dented chassis. On the contrary, he is playing some of the best football of his career. Statistically, Tarkowski ranks as one of, if not the best defender in the Premier League this season. This is a testament to his performances, and his drive to pull on the royal blue shirt week in, week out.

Speaking of younger models, the effect Tarkowski is having on Jarrad Branthwaite must not be underestimated either. Tarkowski commands his backline at his will. He position’s his men precisely on the battlefield of a Premier League football pitch. Should Branthwaite go on to have the career that many of us believe he will have, I'm sure he will reminisce about the impact his former partner had on him.  

Everton Football Club has been fortunate to have had a litany of great central defenders. From Labone to Lyons to Ratcliffe, to Watson, and most recently Jagielka; we regale at the impact these titanic figures have had on the football club.  

When the final chapter is written in the James Tarkowski story, it may be said that he was the last of the centre-halves. A dying breed of footballer, with a very specific set of skills.  

May he go out kicking, heading, and screaming.