The next position group we look at in the 2026-27 Season Preview series is centrehalves, where Everton are going to be relying on a couple of players who are ageing quickly.
Everton head into the upcoming Premier League campaign with a fascinating mix of elite potential, veteran reliability, and emerging physical profiles anchoring their central defense under David Moyes. There is a potential for us to have four centre back options which would allow him to build on last season’s stability.
Jarrad Branthwaite
remains Everton’s most valuable asset and arguably their most complete defender when fully healthy and this preseason he has been eased back into action with great success. While recurring hamstring setbacks strictly limited him to just 10 Premier League appearances last season, his underlying metrics reflect elite defensive output. He provides rare recovery speed for his 6 feet 5 inches frame, outstanding positioning, and a reliable left-footed presence that perfectly balances out a standard centre-back pairing. On a per-90-minute basis, Branthwaite averaged 1.59 tackles, 1.46 interceptions, and 5.29 clearances while maintaining a highly efficient 87% passing completion rate, making him a critical component of Moyes’ defensive plans.
James Tarkowski serves as the vocal leader and physical backbone of Everton’s low-block system, and is also expected to don the captain’s armband for the club this season. Starting 37 matches and logging 3,330 league minutes last season, Tarkowski is an old-school defender who excels at throwing himself directly into the line of fire. He consistently ranks near the top of the league for volume defensive metrics and serves as a major target on offensive set-pieces, racking up two goals and three assists. Tarkowski anchored the defense with a massive 321 clearances, 42 blocks, and 27 tackles combined with 13 interceptions, solidifying his role as a key centre-back and leader under Moyes. The question is whether he will start the first game.
Michael Keane enjoyed a dramatic career resurgence last season, proving to be an exceptionally reliable veteran presence. Stepping in for an extended run of 33 appearances and 29 starts to cover for Branthwaite’s injury absence, Keane showcased technical safety and penalty-box resilience. He prefers to sit deeper, limiting mistakes by passing short out of the back to achieve a squad-high 90% passing accuracy. Keane also proved to be an unexpected weapon inside the opposition’s box during dead-ball situations, scoring three goals alongside recording 250 clearances, 19 interceptions, and 27 blocks.
Jake O’Brien represents the athletic future of Everton’s backline as a rising giant. In his 37 Premier League appearances and 35 starts last season, the massive Republic of Ireland international acclimated well to the physicality of English football, contributing to 10 clean sheets, mostly in the right back position. O’Brien provides solid defensive contributions, registering 206 clearances and 23 successful tackles, while also chipping in a headed goal. Though he is still developing in his high-intensity ground duels and forward progression, his 76% passing accuracy and immense aerial dominance make him a high-upside rotational challenger who gives Moyes excellent tactical flexibility.
O’Brien has done the job at right back last season but, ultimately, he is a very good centre back. When he plays in the middle, we are a better team. There has been quite a bit of discussions about the need for a new right back and for O’Brien, his future role in the club revolves around that piece of business. If Everton can sign a right back, the year ahead for our centre backs will be much better.
If we don’t, then we will end up hoping that Branthwaite stays fit and one of the slowing Tarkowski and Keane can partner him. If Branthwaite goes down and O’Brien is a right back then we are in a situation that will end poorly.
In summary, sign a right back and Jarrad Branthwaite, please stay fit!
