Former Everton man Martin Keown thinks James Tarkowski has been the best English defender in the Premier League this season but insists his lack of pace could cost him a place in Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.
The Blues star conjured up another fine defensive display on Saturday afternoon, alongside Conor Coady, as Frank Lampard's side thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and Dwight McNeil.
Southgate was in attendance on Merseyside for the victory as he continues his country-wide assessment of players ahead of naming his final 26-man squad for the Qatar tournament in just over two weeks' time.
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Tarkowski, who made the move to Goodison Park in July following the expiration of his contract at Turf Moor, has been a revelation for Lampard's side and has struck up a fine relationship with fellow Englishman Coady at the heart of the Toffees' defence.
But despite Everton boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League prior to a run of three straight defeats earlier this month, Keown believes the 29-year-old's lack of speed may cost him a place at the Qatar finals.
"I think Tarkowski, I mean the statistics suggest he's the best [English defender in the Premier League]," said Keown on Match of the Day. "I don't think he's [Gareth Southgate] going to go with him. For me, I just look at pace. I don't want to take anything away from him because I know he's been outstanding, his leadership as well I really like.
"It's about getting people back from injury - [Eric] Dier is probably the only one that is playing regularly. Stones is sitting on the bench this afternoon so there are an awful lot of players we're waiting to come back. But these two [Coady and Tarkowski] are really catching the eye and Conor Coady playing in a pair as well. We were told he couldn't play, that's why he left Wolves - they weren't going to play a [back] three this season."
A graphic produced by the BBC following Saturday's round of fixtures highlighted just how impressive Tarkowski's form has been since making the move to Merseyside, with the defender making the most blocks this campaign. Additionally, he has made the second-most clearances and won the second-highest amount of aerial duals.
Pundit Danny Murphy was in agreement over Tarkowski's quality, and said: "He's [Tarkowski] the best English centre-half we have that's playing regularly. He's been that good.'
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