Everton armband ‘doesn’t sit right’ with James Tarkowski as Seamus Coleman ‘is the captain’
James Tarkowski claims people calling him captain of Everton “doesn’t sit right” as he sees Seamus Coleman as the skipper.
Speaking with BBC Sport Football Focus (6 October), the Toffees centre-back waxed lyrical about Coleman, Everton’s regular captain until a long-term knee injury in April kept him on the sidelines.
Sean Dyche revealed ahead of the opening day of the season that Tarkowski would become vice-captain of the side, meaning he would wear the armband in Coleman’s absence.
Tarkowski said: “To me, in my eyes, Seamus Coleman is the captain to me. So when people call me captain, it doesn’t sit right with me. He’s everything that Everton is, that’s what Seamus is.
“I’ll take the armband, but to me, Seamus is the captain.”
Respect
Coleman’s contribution to Everton is well known, but vice-captain Tarkowski’s respect for the veteran is good to see.
The Englishman has stepped into Coleman’s shoes almost flawlessly, with a crucial goal and assist against Brentford helping seal a captain’s performance and three points.
As far as Coleman’s return date, it is tough to determine. Per the Liverpool Echo (23 August), the Irishman’s injury was not as bad as initially expected, with ligament issues proving a better setback than ACL damage.
Dyche did say at the pre-Bournemouth press conference that Coleman was “a way off” a return, but he has been pictured at Finch Farm recovering and is back on the grass, so a return would be expected in the coming weeks.
Everton fans are fortunate to have the likes of Tarkowski and Coleman at the club. Tarkowski’s natural leadership is backed up by his often exceptional defending. While the whole squad is perhaps below expectation, the Englishman is one of the most dependable bodies at Dyche’s disposal.
While it may not sit right for Tarkowski now, should he stay at the club beyond Coleman, he would surely be next in line for the armband.
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