Everton have flirted with relegation several times in recent years, and it’s thanks in part to defensive solidity that the Toffees remain a Premier League club.
Things have stabilised since The Friedkin Group acquired the club just over a year ago, and the ambitions now are to get back into Europe.
Everton diced with death in 2022/23 and also had a poor season in 2023/24.
Last term, Everton appeared to be heading for another relegation battle until Sean Dyche left the club and David Moyes came in.
Undoubtedly, Everton have come far too close for comfort to losing their top-flight status.
But the defence has largely been really good – and James Tarkowski has definitely played his part in helping Everton remain a Premier League club.
And today, he has been acknowledged for his very consistent stint at Everton.
James Tarkowski named in WhoScored’s Team of the Decade
Everton landed Tarkowski in the summer of 2022 following his release from Burnley.
It was rather a no-brainer for Everton, with Tarkowski having impressed with the Clarets for his durability and consistency.
Just months later, Sean Dyche became Everton manager, which effectively sealed Tarkowski’s status as the leader of the Toffees’ backline.
Since signing, the Englishman has racked up 130 appearances in the competition.
Last year, there was a rare occurrence of Tarkowski missing a Premier League game, after he sustained a hamstring injury. Prior to that, he had made a staggering 111 consecutive appearances in the competition.
You don’t make that many in a row without showing real quality, and that quality has today been acknowledged by statistics website WhoScored, who have included the Everton man in their Team of the Decade so far.
They have selected their XI based on average match ratings, and Tarkowski makes it in with a rating of 7.06.
The backline is completed by Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.13), Virgil van Dijk (7.08) and Kieran Tripper (7.09), with Emi Martinez behind (6.81) them in goal.
James Tarkowski has made it into WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the 2020’s so far! 👏
Everton fans, just how good a signing has Tarky been?
In midfield, the four picks are Mo Salah (7.29), Kevin De Bruyne (7.53), Rodri (7.27) and Bruno Fernandes (7.33).
And up top, Erling Haaland (7.48) and Harry Kane (7.55) are a partnership.
- READ MORE: Jamie Carragher is wrong about James Tarkowski as Premier League stat proves he’s undroppable
Tarkowski has been an incredible signing
Tarkowski isn’t quite as consistent these days, as he comes to the end of his playing career. But there can be no denying he’s been a brilliant signing by the club.
To be rubbing shoulders with such incredible players really does say it all about Tarkowski.
Ultimately, he has been amazingly consistent and also durable, which is an extremely underrated quality.
Of course he has his limitations, such as not being particularly mobile. He is also somewhat old school and doesn’t have the passing range that a lot of modern-day defenders have.
But what a player he has been, and it’s great to see him making it into a team like this
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
