Casual observes may be surprised to learn that James Tarkowski is actually right footed. Not that you’d have guessed it.
Because, while captaining Burnley to three successive Premier League victories over Southampton, Wolves and Watford – while helping secure a potentially vital point away at Aston Villa on Thursday night – the England international certainly didn’t look like a square peg in a round hole.
His performances look even more impressive when you consider that, when Ben Mee was alongside him, Tarkowski would play on the right, rather than the left.
Tarkowski’s leadership skills, never-say-die spirit and willingness to throw his body on the line remain nothing short of invaluable.
‘Priceless’, to use the words of Michael Jackson, the interim manager who has spent his brief spell in the Turf Moor dugout telling his Burnley squad ‘Don’t Stop Until You Get Enough’ points to secure your top-flight status.
It’s no coincidence, meanwhile, that 20-year-old Nathan Collins has come on leaps and bounds with Tarkowski next to him, the more experienced of the two centre-halves shifting across to the left to accommodate his fresh-faced team-mate.
He’s as versatile as he is influential.
Aston Villa want Burnley’s James Tarkowski
If Sunday’s final day clash with Newcastle United is Tarkowski’s last in claret-and-blue, then marshalling his side to an invaluable clean sheet, and relegating Leeds in the process, would be a fitting way to sign off.
His contract expires in July.
And, according to The Telegraph, Tarkowski could swap one claret-and-blue jersey for another. Aston Villa are looking to sign the former Brentford stalwart on a free transfer.
Tarkowski might not be a natural left-sided centre-back – like the man he could replace at Villa Park – but his typically commanding performances in a new role at Burnley should give Steven Gerrard confidence that the 29-year-old can slot into a void created by the potential sale of skipper Tyrone Mings to Newcastle United.
The Mirror claims that Newcastle want to reunite Mings with former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe to the tune of £35 million. And while Gerrard certainly isn’t desperate to sell, he’s not averse to the idea either.
Mings out, Tarkowski in
Bringing in £35 million for Mings, while signing his replacement for free, certainly makes sense from a financial perspective. All the while raising funds for Villa to bring in another centre-forward and a top-class number six.
There’s certainly an argument to be made that Tarkowski would actually represent an upgrade on Mings too. He certainly doesn’t suffer from the same lapses of concentration and ill-discipline, while his natural two-footedness and underrated passing range would not impact Villa’s ability to build play through the thirds either.
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Statistically speaking, Tarkowski’s pass completion rate is far lower than Mings’. But that can be attributed to a direct style of play favoured by Sean Dyche. Put him in a more possession-orientated style, like Villa, and watch him fly.
“I remember in one of the first sessions we were doing passing drills and his range of passing for a young lad was exceptional,” former Brentford coach Alan McCormack tells The Athletic.
“He was pinging balls left, right and centre and hitting every target. He got better and better every day.”
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