Tarkowski offers one of the league's strongest centre-back FPL profiles.
He combines:
Secure starts
Defensive contributions
Set-piece threat
Clean sheets
Bonus potential
His £6.0m price is high, but it reflects a previous total around the elite defender range.
The 2026/27 BPS changes reduce the value of clearances, blocks and interceptions slightly for bonus, but those actions still support defensive-contribution points.
Verdict: Strong premium defender when Everton's fixtures suit.
5. James Garner
Garner costs £6.0m and scored 159 points last season.
His combination of set pieces, minutes and defensive contributions would normally make him a major option.
The current problem is fitness.
Everton confirmed that he underwent groin surgery, with a return to first-team training targeted around the opening week.
That does not guarantee a Gameweek 1 start.
Verdict: Avoid initially and reassess after a full competitive start.
Defensive alternatives
Mykolenko
Provides a cheaper route into clean sheets.
His attacking output is less reliable than Tarkowski's set-piece and contribution routes.
Jake O'Brien
Can offer aerial threat and defensive actions.
His value depends on Everton's exact back four and centre-back competition.
Michael Keane
Can become useful when starting but is vulnerable to changes when Branthwaite or another defender is available.
Forward competition
Everton can use Beto or Thierno Barry as the central striker.
Beto
More established and physically suited to direct attacks.
Barry
Younger upside and potential long-term development.
A shared position reduces FPL interest unless one forward clearly wins the job.
Penalties and set pieces
Responsibility
Current working candidates
Penalties
Ndiaye, Garner, Beto
Direct free kicks
Garner
Corners
Garner, McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall
Set-piece targets
Tarkowski, O'Brien, Keane, Beto and Barry
The final hierarchy must be confirmed after Garner's recovery.
OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
Goalkeeper injury trials, one-minute treatment exits and new countdowns for restarts and substitutions could create indirect FPL consequences.
