‘He typifies everything’: James Tarkowski says £20m Everton player is absolutely perfect

Everton defender James Tarkowski has raved about his teammate Dwight McNeil ahead of the Merseyside derby.

Tarkowski has told Everton’s official website just how important Dwight McNeil is for the team.

The Everton defender made the comments about McNeil in the build-up to the Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

McNeil is very likely to start for Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Dwight McNeil an important player for Everton

The 23-year-old winger has been on the books of the Toffees since the summer of 2022 when he joined from Burnley.

Everton paid Burnley £20 million in transfer fees for the English winger (BBC Sport).

McNeil has had injury issues.

The 23-year-old has made four starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s side so far this season.

The winger has given one assist in those games.

McNeil made 28 starts and eight substitute appearances in the Premier League for Everton last season.

Tarkowski said about McNeil: “He typifies everything we want in this team.

“He has got energy, he gets forward.

“But the amount of times you see him working back and helping the likes of Myko or Youngy behind him.

“He also brings us that quality going forward. Set-piece delivery, attacking players, deliveries and he wants the ball all the time.

“Dwight is the exact type of player we want on the pitch.”

Everton will be determined to win against Liverpool on Saturday, and I believe that McNeil will play his role in that quest.

The winger is quick and clever, and his ability on the ball will pose problems for the Liverpool defence.

The Toffees are a big club, but there is a distinct possibility that they will end up fighting for survival in the Premier League this season.

In my opinion, McNeil will have a big say on whether or not Everton go down.

The winger has to be on top form throughout the season.

Everton are 16th in the Premier League table at the moment with seven points from eight matches.

Sean Dyche’s side are three points above the bottom three.