In an interview that first appeared in the Official Matchday Programme for Everton's home clash with Chelsea, James Tarkowski sat down to reflect on a rollercoaster first year-and-a-half at Everton and explained why he's loved every minute. The defender also opened up on his pride at the growing mentality throughout the Club, his partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite, and revealed how he's managed to stay consistently available for selection...

James Tarkowski takes a seat in the media room office at Finch Farm already feeling like a firm part of the furniture himself. So much so, it's easy to forget his journey with the Club started less than 18 months ago. 

After six successful years at Burnley, Tarkowski joined the Blues in July 2022. He lined up in the heart of Everton’s defence for their 2022/23 Premier League season opener against Chelsea – and has remained a constant there ever since. 

The Manchester-born defender played every minute of Everton’s previous Premier League campaign, a remarkable feat that no other outfield player in the division could match. 

Tarkowski was denied the chance to repeat that achievement this season after being forced off with a head injury in the dying seconds of September’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield United. However, he still holds the record of having played more outfield minutes than any other Premier League player since the start of last season (4,679). 

Additionally, currently sat eighth with 53, 10 more successive league matches would see Tarkowski climb into third on the Club’s all-time list for the most consecutive outfield Premier League appearances.

In an open interview with the Official Matchday Programme, the Blues’ number 6 reflects on the run and reveals that, in contrast to now, injury issues were something that actually plagued the early part of his career.

He explains: “Seamus (Coleman) mentioned the record last season to me and said, ‘It's some stat, that’. I had a few injuries when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time on and off the pitch – that was a frustrating time. There was also the worry that it was going to continue throughout your career. Staying fit for a few years, minus the odd niggle here and there, has been really important for me.”

Standing at 6ft 1in, Tarkowski boasts a strong physical profile with an imposing muscular frame. He’s known to enjoy his sessions in the gym and even for this interview, the defender has arrived straight from a weightlifting session directly after training.  

Teammate Dwight McNeil also admitted earlier this year in his own exclusive interview with the Official Matchday Programme that ‘Tarky’ will “lift massive weights and not even look like he’s trying”, before claiming he “stays away from him” when he’s in action. So is that the secret behind his Premier League longevity? 

“No, because I have to be careful; I am not the lightest chap in the room,” he jokes. “I have to make sure I don't bulk up too much and put too much weight on. I have big legs already so I try not to get too big in my upper body or I'd be carrying too much. I want to do more but I have to be careful. 

“When I came back from lockdown, I felt massive because I'd just been hitting the gym like two or three times a day because I had nothing else to do. I'd go for a run, go to the gym and then go to the gym again at night. I felt like a big robot with no mobility in the end.”

Instead, to survive playing in the toughest league in the world, in one of the most combative positions on the pitch, the 31-year-old revealed his great secret for success is just getting familiar with what works for his body, while also acknowledging the good fortune that plays a part.  

“I've had a discussion with players [about how I look after myself],” he says. “A few lads here have struggled at times, and it's nothing to do with not looking after themselves.

“Dom (Calvert-Lewin) is the prime example. He's had setbacks over the past few years but it has nothing to do with how he looks after himself. I see him in the gym constantly. He does every kind of recovery session, and every bit of rehab expected of him, so it is not always down to that.

“I think for me, maybe genetically I am a bit more fortunate than others. I have found a way of working the gym and doing certain bits in the week, I try to stick to a routine with all of that when I can, and learn what works best for my body.”

While being fit and available is a key part of securing regular minutes, the same doesn’t guarantee selection on matchdays. That very much depends on form, and Tarkowski’s has been largely faultless throughout his time at Goodison Park. 

Some of that can be captured in numbers. For example, no Premier League player blocked more shots on target last season (76), only Ben Mee managed to win more aerial duels (120) and the Everton defender was second in the division for successful defensive clearances behind only Ethan Pinnock (196). 

Yet defensive stats have blind spots as they tend to relate exclusively to on-the-ball actions. Other crucial facets of a defender’s game are much tougher to quantify in numbers, qualities such as good positioning, strong reading of the game and leadership - all of which are key traits of Tarkowski. 

It’s why the ‘eyes test' remains crucial in player analysis, and it’s also why you could argue the best current measurement of prolonged positive performances is minutes accumulated on the pitch, and in that sense, Tarkowski has proven to be Everton’s Mr Consistent. 

“At Premier League level and even below that, any player can play one good game of football, but being able to maintain that level throughout a long period of time is what we all want,” he explains. 

“The best players do that consistently so that's what I am always striving for. You have to play well to be in this team. Everyone has patches in their career where they are out of the team. I have had them at other clubs.

“Once I get into a team, I try to look after myself as I don't want to come out. There are games where you can make mistakes, but I aim to perform as well as possible to make sure I stay out on the pitch and I'm playing. Hopefully, I can continue to do that, and the manager keeps believing in what I bring to the team.”

Having already forged a strong working relationship with his manager during Tarkowski’s six years at Turf Moor, Sean Dyche’s faith in the defender was only reiterated further in the summer when he was officially appointed Everton’s vice-captain.  

“It was quite a casual conversation when he told me about it,” reveals Tarkowski. “I've worked under this manager before, so I have a good understanding of what he expects from his team and individuals – both on and off the pitch. 

“I can deliver that message in the dressing room when the Gaffer isn’t around and back things up he says to reinforce, ‘Look, this is how it is’.

“It's easier to come from me because I understand where the message is coming from as I have heard it a lot of times from the manager.”

With permanent captain Coleman having been working himself back towards full fitness following the knee ligament injury he sustained in the 2-2 draw at Leicester City in May, Tarkowski has led the side in every game Everton have played this season. 

The centre-back has seamlessly adapted to life as a leader at the Club and was famously christened “one of the dads" in the dressing room by the group just months after his arrival last year. However, despite his experience and natural leadership qualities, Tarkowski admitted he’s still blown away by the example set by Coleman ahead of him. 

“Seamus has had a lot on his shoulders over the past few years,” he said. “He's the most incredible leader I have ever come across. He puts this club and everyone associated with it ahead of himself. Just to watch and learn from him, it's been a great experience. The way he leads is phenomenal.”

One of Everton’s biggest success stories in the campaign so far has been the form of 21-year-old defender Jarrad Branthwaite who has forged a formidable defensive partnership with Tarkowski.

Of all the central defensive teammates who Tarkowski has partnered during his time at the Club, Branthwaite is the youngest and most inexperienced at Premier League level. The former Burnley man, though, has revealed he’s enjoyed taking on the role of mentor for the youngster who looks set to have a bright future. 

“I've enjoyed the change,” Tarkowski acknowledges. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy playing with all the lads in that position. We have a great group of defenders. But this for me, it's probably the next stage of my career, guiding someone who is young and new to the game. He's played more games in Europe than I have, so he does have good knowledge and experience for his age. 

“But now it's about things like how I can guide him through a game where he's perhaps not at his best. That happens to all of us, and it helps to have someone alongside you with experience to help talk you through those situations.

“It helped me and that's part of my role with Jarrad. Hopefully, I can help him learn quicker than I did, because he already has the physical and technical attributes, it's just the mentality that takes a bit of time.” 

What’s evident throughout the conversation is how much Tarkowski feels at home with Everton. He’s enjoying his football and thriving from the added roles and responsibilities that have come his way. 

Even in the face of the adversities the Club has had to overcome - and indeed the ones they are still fighting - his affection for Everton has only intensified.  

"I’ll be honest when I say I have never had a year like this one in football,” he acknowledges as we reflect on a managerial change, survival on the final day of last season and the recent decision from a Premier League’s commission to deduct the Club 10 points. 

“Even with the lows, I can honestly say I have loved every minute of being here. It is a lot more challenging and demanding than anywhere I have ever been before - but it's been really enjoyable. I love playing here and the fans have been incredible. Everton has been the best part of my career. It took a long time to get to a club of this size and stature."

Tarkowski was also keen to pay homage to his manager, Dyche, who he believes has instilled an impenetrable mentality throughout the group, helping them not only survive but also rally in the face of the setbacks they've faced.  

“At the start of last season, everything felt positive," explained the defender who has two England caps. "But it started to turn and I think we were a
bit unfortunate in terms of timing. We had two bad results down at Bournemouth right before the World Cup, and then we had to dwell on that for weeks and weeks. It had a real negative impact on the Club, I think. Even when we came back after the break, you could feel it. 

"But now with this manager, I know what he expects. Above tactics, which are obviously important to him, he first and foremost demands team spirit. Things like togetherness and work rate. For him, rather than focusing on things like, 'Can we pass that ball five yards deeper', he is more about getting everyone together and being a proper group of people; being honest with each other. 

"It has taken a few uncomfortable meetings with home truths, but now it seems to have brought us all together. I'm not saying we are all best friends, but we are all together and committed to doing our jobs for this club. Whether results go our way, the togetherness is always there.

“When the news came in about the points deduction, I was away on holiday; most lads were away or on international duty. I remember seeing a message on my phone about it.

“At first, I was disappointed. obviously, but honestly within 20 minutes, the mindset changed. I wasn't worried or concerned, I think everything we have done in the past few months, right from pre-season to now, stands us in good stead.”

The 10-point deduction handed down, combined with a lack of luck in certain contests this season, means Everton aren’t sitting in a position worthy of their performances in the Premier League table so far. Yet, Tarkowski is confident there’s been more than enough on show this season to affirm the team is heading in the right direction. 

“We have played some good stuff this season,” he adds. “I have been proud to be part of a team that is taking top sides on and creating a lot of chances against them. You need results to back up the good work you are doing, we are aware of that, but I think for me as an experienced player, I look at it overall and think our strong performances stand us in good stead for the season, even if we haven't got points we deserve.

“We've had blips, but in general, we have had a lot of good performances. I remember being in the changing room after the win at Palace and just thinking this was what it was about being a player at Everton. Going away from home to a very tough place with things going against you in the game and showing that grit and determination. 

“Probably last season, we'd lose that game. But to see things go the other way now, as in us standing up, getting another goal and winning 3-2 away from home, it's big. Our away form under this manager is very good, we've shown we have got something about us. We are hard to play against. Even though our home performances have been good, we've just not always got the result we deserve to go with them. 

“I've been frustrated as anyone with the record at home, but when I have watched the games back, I find it hard to believe we did lose those games. We are going to keep working hard to make sure we pick up more points at home.”

That burning desire to improve the team’s home form is intensified by the yearning of wanting to reward loyal Evertonians for their unwavering support.

Tarkowski does believe the team have given fans more to be proud of this season but declared they’ll keep giving their all to build that unity even further. 

“The fans here, honestly, it is another level,” he insists. “I don't think many other clubs around the country have anywhere near the fanbase we have here at Everton. Times last season, especially when things weren't great, they'd turn up in their numbers home and away supporting us. I know it is cliché, but it really does make a difference - they are incredible.

“We want to keep rewarding them and we’ll keep giving our all to do so.”