Jarrad Branthwaite has admitted that James Tarkowski has been pivotal to his brilliant form this season.
Speaking to evertontv, the defender explained that his teammate ‘guides him through the game’ after he was called up to replace Michael Keane in Everton’s backline.
Branthwaite joined the Toffees from Carlisle United in 2020 and had only made 12 appearances prior to his move to PSV.
His loan spell in the Netherlands really caught the eye of Sean Dyche and he was brought in as a regular alongside Tarkowski following Everton’s defeat to Aston Villa in August.
Branthwaite has been one of the club’s best players since and was awarded with a new four-year contract last week.
While it is the 21-year-old that has received all of the plaudits so far, Branthwaite has admitted that Tarkowski needs to take some of the credit.
“I’ve said in other interviews, that James is a big leader in the squad,” he told evertontv. “But not only in the squad but for me playing alongside him.
“He guides me through the game and tells me little things to do. It’s a massive thing for a young player to have an experienced player next to him and hopefully, we can continue that partnership.”
Mr Reliable
James Tarkowski has done exactly what caught him so much attention at Burnley during his second spell under Sean Dyche. The 30-year-old has been solid and reliable at the back for Everton and is clearly a brilliant role model for the younger defenders.
Tarkowski’s position in the team has never really been under threat and it has always just been a question of who could play alongside him, but the new partnership with Branthwaite seems to be really benefiting Everton and it will be a struggle for anyone to break them apart this season.
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