James Tarkowski shares what Seamus Coleman texted him ahead of his Everton move
James Tarkowski has shared that Everton skipper Seamus Coleman texted him before he joined the club.
Tarkowski was one of the players who was in demand after his contract with Burnley ended after the end of last season. He became a free agent as a result.
The Toffees were looking to bolster their defence, and they did enough to convince him to join Goodison Park.
The defender has admitted that it was a “difficult” decision for him, and said that Coleman texted him to say – “be yourself”.
“I think it is difficult and it is something that I thought about before I joined, and to be fair, Seamus Coleman texted me a few days before I joined saying ‘be yourself’,” Tarkowski said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
“That was quite important for me to know that the captain was there saying just be the person you are.
“I wanted to be vocal and wanted people to know I was there to lead straight away, but you do have to be careful because I didn’t want to go in too hard too soon and people start to question you a little bit.”
Outstanding
Tarkowski has been simply outstanding for the club since he joined.
He has forged a strong defensive partnership alongside Conor Coady, and the duo has been simply superb for the club.
Frank Lampard needed to bolster the defence, and he chose to bring in players who have got loads of Premier League experience.
Tarkowski was reportedly chased by a host of clubs after he became a free agent, and he admitted that it was a difficult move.
Probably Lampard convinced him that he would become a key player in his plans, and that helped him to decide on his new venture.
The 29-year-old has made 12 Premier League appearances so far. He is excellent at reading the game, and has been averaging 1.8 interceptions, per game, as per Who Scored.
Lampard possibly will rotate the squad and give him some rest once Ben Godfrey returns from injury. The Toffees boss also has Mason Holgate and Michael Keane as other options.