Friedkin Group get clear Everton transfer reminder as Iliman Ndiaye frustrations continue
Everton analysis by Chris Beesley after the Premier League defeat at Chelsea
Dave Watson, Everton’s captain when they last picked up three points at Stamford Bridge, was this correspondent’s latest guest on Goodison Park: My Home this week, but while the question was put to him about being the club’s last trophy-winning skipper, the wait to triumph at Chelsea goes on even longer. Earlier in his career, Watson, who lifted the title in his first season, was cited by Kevin Ratcliffe, who he took the armband from, as being his best centre-back partner.
It’s the combinations, and their communication, that are the key in those areas of the pitch. That is why James Tarkowski, who has been captaining the side so often of late in Seamus Coleman’s absence, could be so keenly missed after a hamstring injury ended his sequence of 109 consecutive appearances since coming to the club with the Mancunian now going under the knife and sidelined for the remainder of the season.
In his place, Jake O’Brien, Everton’s biggest signing of last summer, arriving for £16.43million from Olympique Lyonnais, was moved into the heart of defence – his preferred position – for the first time.
