James Tarkowski vs Michael Keane: What does Tark bring to Everton?

Everton are expected to officially announce the signing of James Tarkowski on a free transfer at the beginning of July and he could be a big signing for the Blues.

This article compares Tarkowski’s defensive stats with Everton’s most featured centre back from the 2021-22 season and another former Burnley player: Michael Keane. Despite Burnley’s relegation, Tarkowski’s stats make quite impressive reading.

Check out this article to find out if Everton are improving their back line with their first new addition of the summer. 

James Tarkowski:

Played: 35
Clean Sheets: 7
Goals Conceded: 51
Tackles: 98
Tackle success: 69%
Blocks: 68 (1st in Prem)
Interceptions: 283 (1st)
Duels won: 241

Michael Keane: 

Played: 32
Clean Sheets: 7
Goals Conceded: 54
Tackles: 71
Tackle success: 54%
Blocks: 31
Interceptions: 192 
Duels won: 156

Michael Keane has played three fewer games than Tarkowski, so while that could affect this comparison, it is not nearly enough to warrant the huge difference in some of these statistics.

First of all, both players have kept the same number of clean sheets, with seven each. This may sound inconsequential, but it definitely reflects better on Tarkowski; given the fact that he has played three more matches and Burnley only managed to win seven games overall, while Everton won 11, making the Toffees the better side on paper and Keane’s defending seem comparatively worse. 

Looking at goals conceded, once again Tarkowski is superior: Michael Keane managed to concede 54 goals throughout the 2021-22 season – three more than Tarkowski, who conceded 51. Looking at that stat, it really is a miracle Everton didn’t go down too. 

Tarkowski also made considerably more tackles than Keane, with 98 vs Keane’s 71. These stats actually don’t reflect very well on both players; Tarkowski ranks 61st in the overall individual tackling charts, while Keane is 114th, both of which don’t seem good enough to justify them as top quality centre backs. 

However, what is impressive is that Tarkowski made 68 blocks across the season – the most of any player in the Premier League, over double Keane’s amount of 31. In terms of interceptions, Tarkowski again topped the charts for the entire Premier League, with 283 in total. While Michael Keane managed only 192 in his 32 appearances. 

So, not only are Everton upgrading on Keane’s numbers – they are getting the best defender in the league when it comes to making interceptions and blocks. 

Finally, when it comes to duels won, Tarkowski’s 241 reigns supreme over Keane’s 156.

To be honest – it’s very difficult to find any stats that favour Keane, except goals. Keane scored three compared with Tark’s one, so he can say he’s the more prolific goal scorer. But, I think Evertonians will prefer a defender who can defend rather than having an extra two goals.

One of the biggest things that Tarkowski will bring to Everton is leadership. At times during the 2021-22 season, the Blues were forced to play Seamus Coleman out of position as a right sided centre back, mainly to bring some leadership to a back line devoid of confidence. Tarkowski though has leadership qualities in abundance. His defensive positioning is also excellent and as the stats suggest he is brave enough to throw himself in front of any incoming shots and not too proud to welly a dangerous ball into row Z. 

But who knows? Could Keane and Tarkowski end up being an effective partnership under Frank Lampard in the new season? 

Yerry Mina looks to be on his way out of the club and despite being Everton’s best performing defender, his injuries simply don’t warrant his huge wages.

Ben Godfrey has untapped potential and has the express pace to play as a sweeper, which could combine well with Tarkowski’s aerial presence. Mason Holgate had a good end to the season, but he is another who is very inconsistent. Michael Keane’s stats may read poorly, but maybe playing next to an experienced pro is exactly what he needs to get himself back on track. Both Tark and Keane will be looking to get back in the England squad, too. 

What is for sure though is that Everton have just made a massive upgrade when it comes to their first-choice centre back. Hopefully for them, it will give them some much needed stability in defence after their worst season in over 25 years.