James Tarkowski gushes over Everton teammate Seamus Coleman, shares his ‘terrific’ trait at Goodison
James Tarkowski hailed Everton teammate Seamus Coleman, particularly the “terrific leadership” he shows at Goodison Park.
Injuries have restricted veteran full-back Coleman, 35, to just a solitary Premier League appearance this term with Tarkowski stepping in as captain for the Toffees.
Tarkowski was involved as Everton defeated his former club Burnley 2-0 on Saturday (16 December) to make it four straight Premier League wins and, speaking to the club’s official website (17 December) after the game, he talked up the character of Coleman and others in the squad.
“We’ve had a tough couple of seasons. Last season for me personally, but there’s a real unified group here. We have a great leader in Seamus Coleman who really marshalls the dressing room. I’m supporting him from the side. He’s a terrific leader, I’ve never seen anyone quite like him,” he said.
“But we have other big characters in there as well; Jordan Pickford, Irdissa Gana Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, there are loads to mention. It’s a real group game, it’s not just about the individuals. The win at Burnely showed that with the lads that came in playing so well.”
A legend
The word “legend” gets bandied around willy-nilly nowadays but when it comes to Seamus Coleman and Everton it is a word that really befits a man who has given so much to the club throughout his career.
At 35, Coleman is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career but he has made over 400 appearances for the Toffees and has always worn the shirt with distinction and been an excellent captain.
While he has been unable to offer much on the pitch this season, his influence around the training ground and dressing room is clearly still being felt and he is exactly the type of person you want around given the wider context around Everton.
To be fair, Tarkowski too has really stepped up this term after a difficult campaign last time around. He has been much-improved on the pitch but has proven an excellent captain on the pitch. Right now, there are plenty of leaders in this Everton side. Long may that continue.
In other Everton news, Danny Murphy was wowed by what Nathan Patterson did versus Burnley.