James Tarkowski is likely out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City on April 19. Everton will be without the mainstay central defender for the first time since his arrival. The former Burnley defender has played 109 consecutive Premier League games for the Toffees, the most by any outfield player for the club. Last Word on Football will look into his potential replacements during the season and what it means for Everton going forward.
Who Should Replace James Tarkowski In The Everton Lineup
Potential Replacements For This Season
Everton currently have only two options to replace Tarkowski in their first-team squad. The first option is Michael Keane, who is set to leave at the end of the term when his contract runs out. Keane was the straight replacement for Tarkowski when he suffered his injury. He has long been out of favour at Goodison Park and is not a long-term solution in defence.
The next option is Irish international Jake O’Brien, who is currently starting at right back. O’Brien, who stands at 6’5, was rarely used under Sean Dyche, making just 2 substitute appearances in the Premier League.
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He hasn’t started in his natural centre-back position at Everton but has shone out wide in defence. If he is to shift centrally, his replacement outright becomes another deliberation. 39-year-old Ashley Young or Nathan Patterson would be the likely suspects to fill the role.
O’Brien is the likely choice as the club has guaranteed its Premier League status, and his selection centrally will be a look into whether he can play there long term.
What James Tarkowski’s Injury Means For Next Season
While this is Tarkowski’s first injury during his Everton tenure, it provides doubt for his ongoing fitness heading into next season. With Keane leaving the club, the Toffees will head into the 2025/26 Premier League season with just three senior centre-backs. Of those three, they have Tarkowski, who will be 33 by the end of the year, Jarrad Branthwaite, who is consistently in the transfer rumour mill and O’Brien who is yet to start at centre-back in the league.
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It is clear that the team needs to have at least one or two centre-backs coming in during the summer transfer window. If Branthwaite is to leave after another summer of rumours, his transfer fee will likely be able to fund any incoming transfers.
