Micah Richards has been wowed by one Everton player who has perhaps gone slightly under the radar at Goodison Park this season.
It’s been a superb couple of weeks for Sean Dyche’s side, with four wins in five matches securing the Toffees’ Premier League status for the 2024/25 season.
Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford have all been dispatched in an impressive run of form.
It’s been a long time coming, particularly after the 13-game winless run to kickstart 2024.
Recently, the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jarrad Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil have stolen the headlines; all three have produced some big performances.
However, there could be one player who has gone slightly under the radar.
Micah Richards blown away by ever-present Everton star
Everton’s defensive record has been the bedrock of their success this season. Only Arsenal [16], have more clean sheets than the Blues.
And speaking on the Rest is Football, Richards has opened up on one player who has played a massive part in Everton’s defensive record.
The former Manchester City defender said: “We know we talked about Branthwaite and he has been outstanding this season, but we have to talk about his partner alongside him, Tarkowski. I mean, he has been so consistent.
“I think he has played pretty much all the minutes except that one game where he had to come off with a head injury, and to have that and keep going and guiding Branthwaite through the game, he deserves mention.”
James Tarkowski catches the eye with an impressive performance against Brentford
It wasn’t just Richards who was left impressed with Tarkowski’s performance against Brentford.
Alan Shearer lauded the £100,000-a-week man in his weekly Premier League team of the week ratings.
“Nothing got past him,” he said.
“He was the main man in a brick wall that allowed Everton to register a third consecutive clean sheet.”
Tarkowski is now really starting to show his worth at Goodison Park. The move to sign the former Burnley defender on a free is beginning to look like a masterstroke. His performances at the heart of Everton’s defence have been immense, even when wins were hard to come by.
Furthermore, there’s a strong argument to suggest Branthwaite has benefitted massively from Tarkowski’s presence. The 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength this season, something that may not have been possible without an experienced head alongside him.
