Tarkowski ‘best English centre-half playing regularly and should make World Cup’
Everton defender James Tarkowski is the "best English centre-half playing regularly" and could go to the World Cup.
That is according to Match of the Day pundits Danny Murphy and Martin Keown, who were impressed by Tarkowski's performance in Everton's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The defender starred in the victory as he and the Toffees picked up their third clean sheet of the season.
Having formed a solid partnership with former Wolves defender Conor Coady, pundits were quick to suggest that both players could make it into Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup next month.
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Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy said: "He's [Tarkowski] the best English centre-half we have that's playing regularly. He's been that good."
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Murphy's words were back up by an on-screen graphic which showed that Tarkowski has recorded the most blocks (25), second most clearances (69) and third most interceptions (21) of all Premier League defenders this season.
Keown, who made 43 appearances for the Three Lions from 1992 to 2002, suggested that both Coady and Tarkowski could make it on the plane to Qatar.
Talking about Southgate's options, former Arsenal defender Keown, said: "It's about getting people back from injury. Dier's probably the only one playing regularly. Stones is sitting on the bench. But these two are really catching the eye.
"Conor Coady's playing in a pair as well! We were told he couldn't play [in a defensive pairing], but he's now playing really well."
Frank Lampard signed Coady and Tarkowski in the summer as he looked to address Everton's defensive problems. Their acquisitions have worked a treat and the Toffees now boast one of the meanest defences in the Premier League.
Everton have the best defensive record of any team in the bottom-half of the table and the joint-fifth best overall. Lampard will be hoping his side can pick up from where they left off against Crystal Palace when they take on Fulham next week.
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