Everton head coach David Moyes is “hopeful” of having his centre-backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite “in and around the squad” for the home fixture against Chelsea this Saturday.
Both Tarkowski and Branthwaite missed the clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Moyes has been rather tight-lipped about the nature of their setbacks and it remains to be seen whether they get any minutes on the pitch at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees will also be ineligible to field Tyrique George against his parent club while Jack Grealish has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.
Carlos Alcaraz has missed each of the last four games for Everton and is expected to be absent from the squad on Saturday as well.
Asked about Tarkowski and Branthwaite in Friday's pre-match press conference, Moyes said: "Both hopefully will be in and around the squad tomorrow.
"We did great without them, so, if we didn't have them, I'd be fine – but we've got them back amongst it, I think."
Chelsea are also missing several players and will be without Levi Colwill, Trevor Chalobah, Filip Jorgensen, Reece James and Mykhailo Mudryk for their trip to Merseyside. Jamie Gittens also faces a late fitness check.
//
Reader Comments (6)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
2 Posted 20/03/2026 at 17:08:52
3 Posted 20/03/2026 at 17:20:58
Our new potential international midfielder to continue at full back. Just wish we could sign a new striker called Tommy Cynicism and play him on the wing.
4 Posted 21/03/2026 at 09:01:53
He said about Jared and Tarky that we did well without them ok Moyes losing 2 nil is not very good I'm affraid David.
Thats why he is a mid table manager please go away from our club.
5 Posted 21/03/2026 at 14:53:51
Right whinge out the way... come on, blues, let's get right in these bastards' faces tonight... UTFT!!!
6 Posted 21/03/2026 at 15:43:58
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
1 Posted 20/03/2026 at 15:54:06
Oh yeah.... last week's press conference! We'll just have to wait for the team sheet tomorrow?