‘Keep him’: Captain hopes West Ham or Leicester don’t buy his teammate

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Ben Mee is desperate to see reported Leicester City and West Ham United target James Tarkowski stay at Burnley, telling Lancashire Live he was “head and shoulders” above his English centre-back rivals last season.

Considering Mee has spent the past three years manning Sean Dyche’s back line alongside the former Brentford man, he’s perfectly placed to pass judgement on Tarkowski’s ongoing omission from Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad.

And, like Dyche himself, the Clarets captain was baffled to see his Turf Moor sparring partner spending the international break watching on from the comfort of his sofa.

After all, few would argue Eric Dier, Michael Keane or even Tyrone Mings had a better 2019/20 than Burnley’s number six.

There’s a reason why Leicester see Tarkowski as the ideal long-term replacement for Harry Maguire after all – and why West Ham controversially sold Grady Diangana to fund a £30 million bid that has been batted away by a bullish Burnley (Sky).

“For me, Tarky was head and shoulders above most of the other England centre-halves last year. He should be in (the England squad) all day long for me,” former Manchester City youngster Mee said.

“We want to keep him around and at the club for as long as possible. I think he felt like he should’ve been in the England squad and all that stuff, so he has come out and said he wants to play at the highest level possible, which all players do.

“Like I say, what will be will be and hopefully the best outcome can happen for everyone.

“He has progressed really well. He showed that last year (by) staying fit and playing every game. He had a really good season and I think everyone can see for themselves the progression he has made.

“He has done very well and I’ve enjoyed playing alongside him.”

With the European Championships rapidly approaching and Tarkowski seemingly being penalised for plying his trade at a less ‘fashionable’ club, Burnley fans may be concerned yet another England snub could tempt their 27-year-old talisman to look elsewhere for recognition.