David Moyes did not rule out the return of James Tarkowski or Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of tomorrow’s game against Chelsea. He did not rule them in, either.
For a side sitting eighth and trying to stay in the battle for European places, that caution made perfect sense. Why give away too much?
Everton go into the weekend on 43 points, five behind sixth-placed Chelsea. Both centre-backs missed the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, where Michael Keane and Jake O’Brien were asked to fill the gap. How Moyes manages the next 24 hours could define Everton’s defensive structure for the run-in.
Tarkowski and Branthwaite
The key line from today’s press conference was short and loaded. “Both hopefully will be in and around the squad tomorrow,” Moyes said.
Neither was confirmed as a starter; neither was ruled out. Both are clearly still being assessed, and Moyes and his team look likely to leave it late before deciding on either/both.
Everton’s preferred defensive shape depends on them. Without Tarkowski and Branthwaite, Moyes leaned on Keane and O’Brien at the Emirates. That pairing worked well on the day, and were desperately unlucky to concede two, but tomorrow’s opponent presents a different challenge.
Moyes acknowledged how difficult Arsenal were to play against, but also called Chelsea “one of the better teams.” He will clearly turn to his first-choice pairing if the opportunity is there.
But the calendar offers some comfort for Moyse. The international break beckons, which reduces the need for short-term gambles. If either defender is borderline, he can afford to think beyond tomorrow rather than risk losing a player for the whole of April.
The wider injury picture
Beyond the centre-backs, Everton’s availability situation appears now manageable.
Carlos Alcaraz is expected to return, which gives Moyes another option in midfield or attack. Seamus Coleman was fit enough to make the bench at Arsenal, meaning he is available in a squad-depth capacity even if he is unlikely to be a starter.
Moyes also addressed the mood as well as the state of the treatment room. He said the players can take confidence from their first 88 minutes at Arsenal, adding: “Hopefully we can keep it going, I’ve not felt from the players that anything is hanging over them.”
On a lighter note, Moyes reacted to James Garner’s first call-up to the full England squad. “I was disappointed, I hoped he was Scottish.” In a week dominated by fitness concerns, that international call-up offered some positive news.
What does it mean for the Chelsea game
The big question is not whether Everton have enough players to compete. They do. It is whether they will be able to field their preferred defensive set-up against a side just five points above them.
If Tarkowski and Branthwaite come through late fitness tests, Moyes can restore something close to his first-choice back line. If not, the Toffees are back to the improvised pairing that started at the Emirates, against opposition Moyes himself has cited as dangerous opponents.
But Moyes appeared calm and buoyant. He said he does not think he needs success against Chelsea to prove Everton’s whole season has been a success.
But, as ever, he chose his words carefully, and it was clear he would not be taking any unnecessary risks with his two centre-backs. Not in late-March when the bigger prize of a European place could be on offer further down the road.
- Everton prepared to gamble on Stones fitness as free transfer looms
- Everton team news: Iliman Ndiaye fit for Brentford clash, Alcaraz returns to training
- Why Jack Grealish and Everton are made for each other
- David Moyes press conference: Loving the race for Europe
- Brentford vs Everton: Team news, predictions, key players
