Alious“So Close Yet So Far: Tarkowski Breaks Silence After Injury Ends Record-Breaking Run”
Everton defender James Tarkowski has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury during his side’s recent loss to Manchester City at Goodison Park. The centre-back, who has been a cornerstone in the Everton backline since arriving on Merseyside, shared an update during a live appearance on *Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football*, offering reassurance that his recovery is on track.
Tarkowski explained that his leg brace is set to come off “a week on Tuesday,” emphasizing that the injury appears more severe than it actually is and mostly limits his mobility rather than causing ongoing pain. He also expressed optimism about returning in time for pre-season training, which will coincide with Everton’s highly anticipated move to their new stadium.
The injury arrives at a pivotal juncture, not just for the team but for Tarkowski personally. Everton had already secured Premier League survival, but the centre-half was just three matches away from setting a new Premier League record for consecutive starts. With 111 appearances in a row, he fell just shy of surpassing Wayne Bridge’s tally—an achievement that was well within reach. “I was fully aware,” Tarkowski admitted, “One of the staff at the club had done the research. It’s disappointing, but I’m still proud to be in the top three.”
In Tarkowski’s absence, David Moyes has restored Jake O’Brien to his preferred role at the heart of the defence, but there’s no doubt the void left by the 32-year-old veteran is significant. Pundits like Chris Sutton noted that his injury noticeably shifted the dynamic in the clash against City, while Troy Deeney has praised him for earlier dominant performances, including one where he “pocketed” Liam Delap.
As the Friedkin Group prepares for their first full transfer window at the helm of Everton, Tarkowski is expected to remain a key figure in their future plans. His leadership, defensive discipline, and near-record-breaking consistency are attributes the club won’t want to lose—especially as they look to rebuild and rise in the table next season.
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