Frank Lampard did not have to sell Everton as a club to James Tarkowski in order for him to agree a move to Merseyside.
For Tarkowski the immense stature of the Blues was obvious - at least so he thought until he moved across and his social media activity took off even more than he had expected. The passion of the fanbase, displayed so vividly in the club's hour of need, was a factor that particularly impressed him.
But the feature that convinced the centre back to turn down other clubs chasing his signature was the vision set out to him by by Lampard.
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Tarkowski was all too aware of the battle experienced by Everton last year. He was part of that same fight, eventually losing it to the Blues despite his former side Burnley's mini-resurgence following the dismissal of manager Sean Dyche, sacked just days after Maxwel Cornet's late strike sunk Everton at Turf Moor.
The 29-year-old's contract with the Clarets expired last month and he was confirmed as a Blue on July 2 - though his commitment to Goodison Park was an open secret for weeks leading up to the club confirming the move had been secured.
Asked why he chose Everton, Tarkowski exclusively told the ECHO: "I think the manager first of all. I know of the fans, I know the size of the club and I know last year was difficult. But in just speaking to the manager, straight away, I had a good feeling about it and I was glad to just get things sorted in the end. Already, within the first seven or eight days I have trained, I can see the way he wants us to work and the way he wants us to play with the team and I'm looking forward to what the future holds."
Asked whether Lampard had sold him a vision, Tarkowski added: "Yes he did but I have always known about Everton so that didn't sell it. It was more about the project ahead after a difficult season. I know the manager only came half way through so this is probably a good opportunity for him to start implementing what he wants from the team. I think it has started well so over the next few weeks it's important we lay some good foundations as we start going into the season."
Tarkowski has been spoken about as a leader who will provide support to key figures in the dressing room such as club captain Seamus Coleman. During a break in pre-season training at the club's complex just outside Washington DC, he told the ECHO there were far more leaders in the Blues squad than those on the outside were perhaps aware of.
He is confident he can have an impact though, both on the pitch as he strengthens a defence blighted by injury last season and in the dressing room among those leaders already playing a role. He said: "There's probably a few more leaders than people expect in there. It's easy to judge from what is going on on the pitch on a Saturday, but that's part of my game which I have really improved over the years. Through the position I have been in, I've learnt from some great captains who I have played under. Hopefully I can bring my own leadership skills to this group and help them improve."
Tarkowski is looking forward to his introduction to the Goodison Park crowd - noting the fans as having struck him as he watched the relegation battle unfurl from a rival camp. Referring to the passionate scenes ahead of crucial games against Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace, he recalled: "From a distance, when I was watching, I think the biggest thing that stood out to me was the fans and how they supported the team. I had never seen anything like it. For a team that was struggling, the fans' response was just incredible. I think the lads think it really helped drag them over the line."
Now Tarkowski, who said he would be inspired by similar displays, is excited at the thought of having that fanbase as his ally rather than his enemy. As preparation continues for the season opener against Chelsea on August 6, he explained his personal ambition: "I want to play as many games as possible and I want to win as many games as possible. I want to perform to the best of my ability and for the lads to as well."
Pre-season has started well in his view - though just like he received a shock as his social media interactions rocketed upon confirmation of his move to Everton, he said he has been impressed by the early pre-season condition of his new teammates.
He said: "I grafted all summer and I have come back and I am still chasing people. The lads are in great nick, there's a lot of great athletes out there and some very talented players and I am looking forward to playing with them."
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