Over the last two years, Everton have shared a strange relationship with tonight’s EFL Cup opponents Burnley.
Having narrowly escaped relegation at their expense, the Lancashire outfit have since written to the Premier League questioning the Toffees’ finances.
Whilst the results of that investigation are yet to come to light, they were seemingly still willing to do business with the club they had shown such distaste towards, as James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil would both trade Turf Moor for Goodison Park before Sean Dyche later joined them; a manager revered by the former.
With both sides now back in the division and vying for a spot in the quarter-finals of the cup tonight, there is an interesting dynamic about a clash that has so many underlying storylines.
Their former captain and centre-back has actually been vocal about his old employers recently, outlining their differences now from when he played, and the new threat they pose.
The Liverpool ECHO details his views: ‘The new style is very different. I wouldn’t say I’d choose to pick one or the other. They’ve got their own way of doing it and we had our way of doing it and we had a lot of success doing that.
‘I went to watch them last year and they were exceptional. They played almost every team off the park in the Championship.
‘They’ve had a tough start to the season but it’s a completely different level so it’s probably expected. I’m sure they’ll be looking at this game as a big opportunity to try and get a win because so far they’ve only had one I think.
‘I think they have a bit more inexperience than we had. We had a few more senior players in the team, but they showed last season with the way they played and the amount of points they picked up in the Championship, which is a very difficult league, so I am sure they will pick up more points. But it is just a step up and they seem to be getting punished at the minute.’
How good has James Tarkowski been for Everton?
As free transfers go, Tarkowski’s back in the summer of 2022 will surely be remembered as one of their best in recent memory.
After all, the 30-year-old colossus has swiftly grown into a hugely influential figure in the dressing room, and an important defensive warrior who helped them avoid the drop last season.
His talents are best outlined when compared to other centre-backs across Europe, as not only does he rank in the top 1% for blocks per 90 and the top 9% for aerials won per 90, but he also sits in the top 10% for total shots per 90 too, via FBref.
A useful asset at both ends of the pitch, he was also the only outfield player in the entire Premier League to play every minute of every game last campaign too, standing out as one of Everton’s best players.
His 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 5.2 clearances per game (via Sofascore) during that 2022/23 term showcase his emphatic solidity, which proved integral in narrowly avoiding the drop.
Tonight marks his first time facing his old club since leaving, and he will hope to put aside any niceties and ensure his new side can cruise into the next round of the cup, bypassing the threats he has outlined.
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