James Tarkowski has opened up on his blossoming relationship with Conor Coady and detailed how Everton dealt with the 'aggressive' Aleksandar Mitrovic at the weekend.
The Blues signed both Tarkowski and Coady in the summer as Frank Lampard looked to strengthen his backline that had struggled for large parts of last season. Both defenders have quickly become Lampard's go-to men at the back and helped stabilise the Blues’ back-line.
The pair were again instrumental as Everton held Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage at the weekend. And when asked why his partnership with Coady has been a success in such a short space of time, Tarkowski believes the fact the two are close off the pitch is a huge factor.
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He said: “I don’t know, really. We like each other. He’s a top lad and he’s come in and settled really well and we have got on well ourselves. That helps on the pitch.
“We are both two experienced players now and we have played in this league a long time so it is easy to just slot in next to him.”
Tarkowski was then asked why he and Coady compliment each other so well, and he replied: “I’m probably a bigger lad, you would say, so I am a bit more physical in the way I play, but he reads the game really well.
Before he added: “Of course I am still improving my game. Just because I am a little bit older doesn't mean I don't want to learn from the game and Conor is the ideal player to learn from. The way he plays, the way he talks and his knowledge of the game.”
Tarkowski also explained how the Blues managed to cope with the threat of Fulham forward Mitrovic. The Serb had 10 attempts during the game at Craven Cottage, but he could not add to his tally of nine goals this season.
Mitrovic lashed one over the bar as well as forcing Jordan Pickford into a flying save. He was also in the thick of the action and lucky to escape a red card for a first-half tackle on Idrissa Gueye.
“He’s aggressive, strong, physical and he’s dangerous in the box. To be fair, he had a few chances today, but we got in and around him as much as we could,” Tarkowski revealed when asked what it is like coming up against the forward.
“It is difficult to stop him sometimes, especially if you have got a lot of ball out wide and good delivery, so we can be pleased with stopping him scoring because he has been on fire.
“You have got to look at all their threats and he is their biggest one. As well as the physicality, the finishing he has got is a big one for them.”
Tarkowski has so far this season blocked 30 shots in the Premier League - at least double any other player and already more than any Everton player blocked during the last campaign. Such impressive displays have led to calls for the defender to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
The centre-back made two appearances for England before the 2018 World Cup and was in the standby squad but never made it to Russia. He has not played for the national side since.
“You will have to ask Gareth. Fingers and toes crossed that I can go. But only time will tell,” he said when asked about the prospect of being named in Southgate’s squad.
Tarkowski was then asked if he had spoken to Southgate, and he replied: “No, I haven’t, no. Not for a long time.”
England centre-backs Harry Maguire and John Stones have struggled for form and fitness this season, while Southgate's defensive options have been hit further by injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James. And Tarkowski would love nothing more than to be lining up alongside team-mate Cody next month.
“I might rob his ticket,” he joked when asked if the final place in Southgate’s squad could be between him and his team-mate. “Conor has been in and around the squad for a while and there is a reason because he’s a top class player. Hopefully we will both play."
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