David Moyes has hailed James Tarkowski as Everton's "anchor" who "trains like a monster every day" ahead of the Blues' trip to Premier League champions Arsenal.
Following his first loss as club captain, Tarkowski said: "I always felt last year that anytime we suffered a defeat, we responded pretty well," adding that playing week in and week out was "the most important thing to me."
The Mancunian had worn the armband for Everton on many occasions before this term, but it was only this summer, following the departure of long-serving Seamus Coleman, that he stepped up to become skipper on an official basis.
Tarkowski's form and stats
After eight games unbeaten in all competitions, Everton lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea last time out, but Tarkowski still tops the Premier League for successful duels (57) and ranks second in the division for interceptions (22).
Things don't get any easier for the Blues as they travel to Arsenal today (Saturday) for what was the only fixture Tarkowski missed last season. Although Moyes remained tight-lipped about Jarrad Branthwaite's fitness ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium, he will be banking on his other centre-back being available this time around.
Moyes on Tarkowski's leadership
The Glaswegian said: "I think Tarky has been a wee bit of a mainstay of the team. He's been a little bit an anchor in the team and kept us all solid. By the way, up until, I think up until Hull game we had the best clean sheet record, which, in the main, we have been over the last season as well.
"So, there's not really been a huge appetite for me to think about anything other than to keep Tarky doing the job he's doing. I tell you what, he trains like a monster every day. He tries to make himself the best he can. He's a big leader round the place as well.
"I think Tarky has done a really good job, but there's young competition in the background. The young competition have got to realise that consistency, which Tarky in the main brings, and I don't just mean consistency by his football.
"I mean, consistency, training every day, bang at it every day. Making sure he's fit for every game. Any injuries he somehow gets over them to play. So, there's a lot of that, which gives him the right to be in the role he's in and also playing."
Comparison to other centre-halves
Tarkowski, who turns 34 next month, has played 30-plus Premier League matches over each of the past nine seasons, but while Branthwaite tends to grab the headlines with his displays, it is suggested to the Blues boss that the senior partner often flies under the radar.
Moyes said: "I think so, but I think Tarky would be probably seen now as a regular Premier League centre-half. I can think of one or two, Harry Maguire could come in here, but he was in England international, or Lewis Dunk at Brighton, people who, I think, when I think of centre-halves who sort of been in it for the last 10 years.
"I see Tarky a bit like that as well. So, that would be where I sort of put Tarky."
Moyes added: "Look, if the right opportunities came around and I felt I could give him a breather here and there, then I might do so. He's a big man, so sometimes those big men need to keep playing, it sort of keeps them going.
"They're maybe better [doing that] than training sometimes. In the main, he's done very well, Tarky. He's done a lot of good jobs, and he's helping skipper the team, now that Seamus has gone as well."
Maitland-Niles facing former club
Meanwhile, Everton's transfer deadline day signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be facing the club he was at from the age of six until he finally left Arsenal for Olympique Lyonnais in 2023.
Asked how the 29-year-old had settled in at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Moyes said: "I thought Ainsley started brilliantly for us. His football at times has been really good. His goal against Manchester United will be there for a long time.
"I think he's been up and down a little bit in recent weeks and we're aware of that. But you've got to remember we've just taken him from Lyon. He's come in and probably played five games on the bounce. He's done fine but he's made a couple of mistakes in recent games, which has been costly for us."
