Tarkowski finally unveiled as an Everton player

He's one of us now, so let's hope he's less Ashley Williams and more Dave Watson. We badly need a tough, robust, leader at the back; I'm hoping we have just signed him.

Welcome, James.

He wants to bring toughness, solidity and leadership to our defence. Sounds like captain material before he's kicked a ball for us.

If he gives us 100% commitment while trying to give us those much-needed qualities he will be respected and appreciated.

Good luck, James.

Don't like the term of the contract – too long. Two to three years would have been good business. He's 29 – not what we really want to sign. His contract will be up at 33. That's too old and could – could – end up being the Everton Way of a player who just is engaging in wage draining and is ineffective in a few years.

There's something to be said for experience at the centre-back position. If you're going to sign 'old', sign old centre-backs. So that could be seen as something remotely positive.

But overall I'm not thrilled with this in the least.

Nonetheless, good luck and welcome, James. Hope you prove me wrong.

Our one Achilles Heel has been addressed at the back; now we need to rebuild that midfield and get some goal scoring players in.

I have the same reservations as you do, seems a big wage and a long contract, but that's the way Everton FC have operated for the last few years.

If he justifies his contract and salary playing for Everton, we won't moan, but our recent history suggests otherwise; nevertheless, it is an additional player in the right area, so we live in hope.

Good defender too!

James' stats for the 21/22 season are very impressive and he has played an average of 35 games a season for the last three. Let's hope he can replicate them for Everton.

He is a top pro, knows the Premier League, is a solid defender. We are not in the Koulibaly market at this time and so why the negativity? I think he's better than what we have, IMHO.

Seriously, though, I'm pleased with any signing that makes us better, and this does. No, he ain't great, but he's a better central defender than Keane, or Holgate, or Godfrey, and he will provide some badly needed leadership. And let's face it, the man can put in a tackle. I think he'll do all right.

Welcome, James.

And a 4-year contract at 29 isn't silly. Let's hope we extend it thereafter.

Good luck, James.

I'm pleased it's not just me regarding those ears, he would have been known as “wing nut” at school.

Yes, decent acquisition in our current predicament and, if he shows the same level of commitment as his challenge on Richarlison at Goodison, then he will be popular.

Good luck, James, and welcome to the best club in the world.

I hope you don't think I'm picking on you but couldn't the aerodynamic effect depend on which way the wind is blowing and may assist in his aerial ability.

I'm not going to confess to know too much about the player, but I like his direct and brief comments. Especially his closing one.

Character and leadership. Something we have lacked in that area of the pitch. Even though new to the club, hopefully that will rub off off Patterson, Mykolenko, Godfrey and Branthwaite.

29 is a good age for a centre-back; he'll be hitting his prime.

Just wish he was a couple of years younger, 4 years seems way too long. As others have already alluded to, we never learn as a club, so never progress.

Please no-one trott out examples from the past.

Too often, we've allowed the opposition to bully us, but I look forward to once again seeing a look of terror on an opponent's face when they cross the line.

Can't wait to see him sort out the likes of Henderson, Salah and Van Dijk, plus a bonus for snapping Son in half when Spurs visit.

Bill thinks we are so daft that we will forget our best player has gone because we have this carthorse. Bring on the next 30-year-old... Next!!!

I thought Williams was a poor signing, especially for what we spent, but I'm far happier with Tarkowski. He will bring what we need most in our defence – organisation and a commanding presence, plus a much-needed bit of nastiness. Ready-made captain to replace Seamus Coleman.

That's exactly what was said on ToffeeWeb when we signed Williams!

Hopeless. Made Glenn Keeley look like Beckenbaur.

Ashley Williams. Shaking my head. And did you have to mention Glenn Keeley, Brian? All I can hear now is Derek Hatton's voice from Howard's Way!

Welcome to Everton, James. I have an unqualified opinion that you will become a favourite.

Ben #32 just made the same (Jagielka) comparison but I think you and he are arriving at the same point from different directions.

You all know me. I'm indifferent as to where players come from.

Tarkowski qualified to represent Poland but chose England as it is the country of his birth.

British and Polish. Now there is a cocktail of fighting spirit. I have a gut feeling we are going to like him.

With regards the spine, Tarkowski and Calvert-Lewin are two strong vertebrae but the middle bit is like a jellied eel. That defensive central midfielder is the No 1 recruitment priority now.

We need a good Essien type of player next please. Whoever we get next, free oldies in their prime and young quality transfers in will help beat the FFP game...

Because improving on the FFP game every year gives a greater chance of a better season the year after. That's the best way to beat the system and have a squad built to win trophies.

Now we know this, let's bring in some more good young players like Patterson, Richarlison and Godfrey so that, in 2 years time, we have a top team again (as well as only excellent older players in their prime).

Our defence needs a presence and consistency. Hopefully he brings that.

As for more signings. A must!! Need a couple of game-changing players. Currently, we have a Bottom 6 Premier League squad or a very good Championship side. Either way, quality needed and quickly!!!

Gbamin is not the answer.

No question.

What is happening with Moise Kean??

He wouldn't have been my first choice but I actually think there's a very good chance he becomes a Goodison favourite. He's tough, he's a bit narky and he wins most of his battles. He's also a bit better on the ball than many will expect.

He's not going to get us into the Top 4 or even Top 6 but I think he should at least help keep us away from the Bottom 3.

Tarkowski played 35 games and ranked 1st in the league for aerial duels, duels won, and blocks; 2nd for clearances and headed clearances.

No fee, so no amortisation but higher wages and possibly a signing-on fee. Considering our financial position, our defensive frailties and our lack of leadership, as Del-boy once famously said, "We've had worse days".

Let's hope he's more Gareth Barry than some of the mercenary chumps we've specialised in these last few years. He seems game enough.

Interesting to see who will partner him in, hopefully, the back 4 he's used to. I expect Holgate unless we buy Becao. Frank seems to rate Holgate.

On the other aspect to this discussion, I think he looks a lot like Lee Evans.

Robert – I think Lee Evans is a good shout!

Or was it the lure of uncertainty of ownership, a club crippled by FFP after previous seasons of ridiculous spend, a club that has seriously regressed under current stewardship cementing Premier League status with a game to spare last season whilst, entering yet another season of transition the reason he signed?

Probably not, it was the shed-load of cash we're giving him.

In my opinion, duration of contract must be the most sensitive part of contract negotiations, with the emphasis on each side not getting shafted. However, in terms of this contract length, I see it as the club trying to somewhat protect themselves because, if we have a stinker and he plays with the consistency he had with Burnley last season, who's to say we wouldn't have to sell him then, before he could leave on a free the season after?

I expect another free transfer and a couple of loans. It's a season of deep cleaning and keep staying in the Premier League till things reset.

Unfortunately, Mina should not be considered because he keeps getting injured, while neither Holgate nor Godfrey are solid centre-halves. But both can play at right-back or left-back.

Tarkowski and Keane only played together 4 or 5 times for Burnley. Dyche's favoured centre-back pairing was Keane and Mee.

Tarkowski didn't really get a game until after Keane joined us at the start of the 2017-18 season. All of which makes you think that they are very similar players and unlikely to start together.

I mean 'solid' when both centre-halves do what Everton failed to do for most of last season when clearing high balls, crosses and corners, the Achilles Heel of the Everton defence.

Tackles – Tarkowski ranks 32nd amongst all defenders in the Premier League in percentage of tackles won against the dribble. That is not a recipe for playing a high line, as someone else wrote. Yes, he has a lot of tackles but the total number does not tell the whole story.

Aerial Duels – Amongst all defenders, Tarkowski ranks 21st in percentage of aerial duels won. Ben Mee is actually 15th. Yes, Tarkowski led the Premier League in aerial duels won but he had many, many more chances than most defenders.

Passing Completion % Amongst all defenders – 97th. Yes, 96 defenders have a higher passing percentage than Tarkowski. Numbers 1-3 are LaPorte and Dias from Man City and Thiago Silva with Chelsea. Makes sense, yes?

Why did Tarkowski win so many tackles, so many headers? It was because Burnley was 19th in possession. When a team is that low in possession and sits in a defensive shell, the defenders will have to fend off more crosses and take on more dribblers.

* Stats from fbref.com - among players who qualified