Troy Deeney has selected four Everton players in his Premier League Team of the Week
James Tarkowski possesses the qualities Chelsea would love in a centre-back reckons Troy Deeney as the captain was one of four Everton players he picked in his Premier League Team of the Week.
After signing on a Bosman-style free transfer in 2022 when his contract at Burnley expired, Tarkowski made 109 consecutive starts in the Premier League for the Blues before suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City on April 19 last year. Following surgery, he returned to the side in the Premier League Summer Series and was ever-present in all competitions until he missed the trip to Arsenal.
Coming straight back in against Chelsea, Tarkowski helped Everton to a 3-0 victory over Liam Rosenior’s side – their biggest win to date at Hill Dickinson Stadium – and writing on the BBC Sport website, Deeney, who picked him in a back three with Neco Williams and Matty Cash, said: “It was another solid performance from the Everton defender. He showed his experience and control, and was always where he needed to be.
“He made those tackles when needed and more importantly was a calming presence in their backline. How Chelsea would love a centre-back with that kind of gumption, especially given the shaky defending they have shown at times.”
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Also, crucial in maintaining the clean sheet – his 100th for Everton – was Jordan Pickford who Deeney selected in goal for his Team of the Week. He said: “One of the massive moments in Everton’s 3-0 win against Chelsea was his brilliant save to deny Enzo Fernandez.
“He has come up pretty big in such moments for Everton this season and, hopefully, he can continue to do that for England in the summer at the World Cup. A week ago, he made a costly mistake against Arsenal but he has picked himself up again to deliver for the Toffees.”
In a midfield that also included Chris Rigg, John McGinn, Harry Wilson and Bruno Fernandes, Deeney picked James Garner, one of his former team-mates from Vicarage Road. He said: “He could have just chilled out after getting called up to the England squad this week.
“But instead, he cracked on and put in a great performance. It was a lovely assist from him to Beto for Everton’s opener.
“Having played with him at Watford, I know he’s all about high energy and big tackles. He has got it all and I hope he does well for England to force his way into that World Cup squad.”
A former striker himself, up front the 37-year-old paired Danny Welbeck with Beto. Of the Blues’ two-goal hero, he said: “This week, we have two forwards who are at very different stages in their career.
“I am not sure Beto is a long-term solution for Everton’s goalscoring issues, but manager David Moyes is getting a tune out of him at the moment. It is impressive considering how poor he was earlier in the season.”
Deeney wasn’t done there though with his Blues’ dominated side as he selected David Moyes as his manager. He said: “The game between Everton and Chelsea was a perfect encapsulation of old school against new school.
“Blues boss Liam Rosenior is still trying to find his way at the start of his managerial career but Moyes put together a perfect gameplan to secure a comprehensive victory. The Toffees were bolder and stronger in every aspect of the game and it was a massive win for them.”
