Long-suffering Evertonians have endured many sleepless nights in recent times but new signing James Tarkowski has been hailed as being “a warrior” who enables a manager to rest easy in his bed. That’s the verdict of Lee Johnson, the 29-year-old’s manager at his first club Oldham Athletic.
The last 42 of Tarkowski’s 89 appearances for the Latics came under the stewardship of Johnson before he sealed a transfer to Brentford on January 31, 2014. His ex-boss looks back on the defender’s formative years with him at Boundary Park fondly after the player’s big move to Goodison Park was announced this month. Taking time out from his pre-season preparations for a first campaign in the Scottish Premiership in charge of Hibernian, Johnson – who has also had spells at the helm of Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland – told the ECHO: “James was the golden boy of the Oldham Athletic academy at the time and our academy manager Tony Philiskirk believed in him massively.
“He took to being in the first team straight away, especially with the way I played, allowing centre-halves to take the space and being very comfortable on the ball and he was a good decision-maker with his passing. He had flaws, his feet were a bit heavy and he was a bit club-footed at times in terms of his movement but he wasn’t a man at that stage and your athletic profile changes over the years.
READ MORE: Four things spotted in Everton USA training as duo live up to Frank Lampard words
READ MORE: 'Not what you want' - Donny van de Beek opens up on Everton loan spell after Man United return
“At times he struggled as every young player does because it’s men’s football and if you’re dealing with big James Hanson and Nakhi Wells at Bradford, who might smash you in the face with an elbow, you’ve got to learn quickly and he did. He’ll probably tell you that there were times he probably didn’t like me but I knew how good he was and I demanded a lot from him and I think that was fundamental.
“All in all, I think he was a fantastic lad and that was the biggest thing really, as a human being he was a great guy and a great team-mate to those alongside him. It’s terrific to see him doing so well now in the Premier League and I’m really proud of him but I also things it’s a big show up for the Oldham academy.”
For the past six years, Tarkowski had been one of Everton’s Premier League rivals – last term directly so as his Burnley side ended up battling with the Blues to stay up. While the Clarets ultimately surrendered their top-flight status three days after Everton secured their own with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace, Johnson believes the player who has turned out more than 30 times in the Premier League over the past five seasons and 35 or more over the last four, can be a reassuring presence at the back for his new manager.
He said: “Having the right attitude as well as the ability is huge. If you look at where he’s come from and where’s he’s got to, he’s earned every bit of that.
“Everton is a great move for him and everyone who knows him is really excited for him. It’s obviously on a Bosman so I’m sure he’s getting a good contract and given that there’s not a lot of top centre-halves around, he gets to go again with potentially better players, at a bigger club and in a different environment.
“Personally I think he’ll kick on again. He’s a leader and a warrior, I just hope that the formation and the system that Frank Lampard plays will suit his attributes.
“You try and keep an eye on all your ex-players, particularly the ones who you’ve built a rapport with and helped to develop. I’ve been fortunate that over the years there have been quite a few top players that I’ve been able to work with.
“Tarky is one who will sit on my CV as a proud development but it’s not down to me it’s down to him in terms of consistency, attitude, a good upbringing and being humble because he’s someone who, as a manager, you can go to sleep at night, knowing you can trust him.”
READ NEXT:
- Frank Lampard hits back at Dominic Calvert-Lewin critics and makes new season Everton admission
- Everton defender 'delighted' as he completes loan move
- Frank Lampard opens up on James Tarkowski transfer and instant Everton squad impact
- Frank Lampard issues blunt message on Anthony Gordon future amid Everton transfer talk
Seamus Coleman injury opens up Nathan Patterson 'opportunity' as Frank Lampard eyes Everton changes
