After James Tarkowski, these three crucial Everton stars must sign new deals
David Moyes will need to address the futures of several of his Everton stars this summer after James Tarkowski put pen to paper.
Jarrad Branthwaite put pen to paper on a new deal in July, with the club fending off interest from Man United, Tottenham, and Liverpool to keep the 23-year-old defender at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tarkowski is the next player to confirm his future on Merseyside, helping to shore up the defence with Michael Keane in the absence of the Toffees’ most talented centre-back.
Beto and Thierno Barry are Moyes’ biggest problems, with the attack having to depend on loanee Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye on the opposite flank, as well as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
With the Toffees finally on the up following a few seasons around the relegation zone, it will be important to tie down multiple new stars after handing a new contract to Tarkowski.
Jordan Pickford
While Jordan Pickford’s contract runs out in the summer of 2027, the goalkeeper has been one of the most consistent players for the Toffees since his arrival from Sunderland in 2017.
He currently has 326 appearances to his name, but at just 31 years of age, there is absolutely no doubt that the England international could break into the top 10 appearance-makers in the club’s history.
There have been rumours and mumbles of contract talks opening up on Merseyside with the shot-stopper, but alas, the player is still waiting to agree new terms as Everton’s main goalkeeper.
Vitaliy Mykolenko
While injuries have plagued the Ukrainian full-back over the last few months, Vitaliy Mykolenko holds himself to a very high standard in the Premier League and would be able to play in Europe.
With that in mind, the Toffees should count themselves lucky that European clubs have not attempted to poach the 26-year-old’s signature, especially with less than 12 months left on his current deal.
Ahead of next summer, Moyes really needs to push the hierarchy to extend Mykolenko’s stay on Merseyside, with the full-back positions normally a big concern for the club.
James Garner
Surprisingly, Everton are yet to tie down James Garner to a brand new deal, with his current contract also expiring next summer. The 24-year-old is one of Moyes’ most important players.
Whether he features in the centre of midfield or at full-back, the manager can always depend on him to put in a seven out of ten performance, rarely making simple mistakes or errors.
He has recently stepped up the attacking aspects of his game, and much like Newcastle United regretting offloading Elliot Anderson, Man United and Nottingham Forest might be keeping an eye on the star.