James Tarkowski ‘ruled out for the season’ after crushing Everton developments
Everton have been aiming to finish the campaign strongly as they contested their third-last game at Goodison Park against Manchester City.
Just two matches now remain at the Old Lady following the gritty performance but 2-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side, who are still trying to secure Champions League football for next season.
Ipswich Town and Southampton are the final two opponents at Goodison, as the Toffees will look to return to better fortunes on the field.
One key member of David Moyes‘ backline is now unlikely to feature again at Goodison – or this term – as James Tarkowski suffered a cruel blow.
Tarkowski ‘out for the season’ admits Sky pundit
Everton will reel from a major defensive blow as Tarkowski appeared to injure his hamstring early on in the clash with Man City.
Moyes’ starting centre-half was forced off shortly after the break and replaced by Michael Keane, who is out of contract at the end of the season and could now sense a last-gasp opportunity to impress before the season’s end.
Tarkowski has been a key part of a notoriously difficult Everton defence to break down, but Moyes must now continue the run-in without him.
Tim Sherwood, live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (19 April, 16:08), made a remark of Tarkowski’s wife – seen on the Amazon series Married to the Game – preparing summer holidays as a result of the news.
“James Tarkowski’s done his hamstring, he’s come off,” Sherwood stated.
“His season’s over – his wife’s got the holiday brochures out.”
Everton chance beckons for Keane after Tarkowski news
Keane has been on the periphery at Everton this season, under both Moyes and Sean Dyche, as his contract ambles to an end this summer.
The experienced defender replaced Tarkowski as a substitute against City, receiving a booking for his troubles in his 38-minute stint, but could be relied upon for the Toffees’ final five games of the campaign.
Next up comes their trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on 26 April, Enzo Maresca’s side another challenging to compete in the Champions League next term.
| Everton 2024-25 | James Tarkowski | Michael Keane |
| Appearances | 33 | 11 |
| Starts | 33 | 9 |
| Minutes played | 2,962 | 812 |
| Clean sheets | 12 | 2 |
| Yellow cards | 6 | 4 |
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
Keane is one of eight senior Everton stars whose contracts expire this year, with the Toffees potentially ready for a huge squad overhaul.
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are among Keane’s fellow teammates out of contract in the next two months, as well as veterans Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman.