James Tarkowski is confident that £17m new signing will be a perfect fit at Everton

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Everton have had a busy summer, laden with far more incomings than most fans had anticipated.

After all, Kevin Thelwell had warned Evertonians to expect the worst rather than revolution, making each new acquisition a welcome surprise.

Tim Iroegbunam was the first to come before Jack Harrison returned to Goodison Parj on loan, and Iliman Ndiaye made himself the second permanent addition of the window, joining from Marseille.

Jesper Lindstrom marked another shrewd loan capture, before Jake O’Brien finished off a fine flurry in the market which bolstered the squad all over the pitch.

However, when asked about this business, James Tarkowski honed in on one man in particular who he thinks will be a particularly fine fit for the club.

James Tarkowski reflects on Everton’s transfer business

Chatting to the press after his side’s 1-1 draw with AS Roma on Saturday, the former Burnley defender was full of praise for the pre-season that O’Brien has enjoyed since joining from Lyon for £17m.

The defender, who was known for his penchant for a goal in Ligue 1, scored in back-to-back games against Preston North End and Motherwell as he deputised well in the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite.

With their starring young defender still injured, it seems like the Republic of Ireland international will be due a first Premier League start on Saturday’s opener, and Tarkowski sought to praise his integration ahead of that match.

He stated: ‘He has done well, he is still young and is still going to learn, especially with the way we play and how aggressive we want to be, we want to be high up the pitch and attacking the ball and winning the ball high.

‘So he’s going to learn, but physically he is great, good on the ball and I’m sure he will fit in great with the lads.’

Jake O’Brien could be a long-term Jarrad Branthwaite successor

Although it is painful to suggest, O’Brien could well be a long-term replacement for Branthwaite, made before he has even left.

After all, rumours surrounding his future have been unrelenting, with his talent deservedly commanding the interest of many top clubs.

Even if Tarkowski begged Branthwaite to stay in the same aforementioned interview, it likely will not be enough to convince him to stick around should the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal or Real Madrid come calling next summer.

So, it makes sense to bring in another towering left-footed centre-back who can enjoy a year as a backup to acclimatise before sliding into a starting position as Everton gather a monstrous fee for the England international.

Again, this denotes remarkable foresight from Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche, who are acting with the intelligence that the Toffees have lacked for years under Farhad Moshiri.