James Tarkowski believes there is no shortage of leaders-in-waiting as Everton begin the task of replacing the influence of Seamus Coleman. The club captain was a figure who transcended the dressing room, and his trusted relationship with supporters was vital as Blues players took strength from the backing of fans through recent relegation fights. But, for the first time in 18 years, Everton will begin a campaign without the presence of the Republic of Ireland international.
Tarkowski set to take armband
For Tarkowski, a key voice who appears set to become the team's new captain, there is no lack of support emerging from the ranks. Replacing Coleman at Finch Farm is a challenge David Moyes hoped he would not have to undertake. Countless Everton managers, including Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Lampard, have spoken of his importance to the club, but none knew it better than the man who brought him to Merseyside from Sligo Rovers in January 2009.
Moyes was happy to look beyond the defender's recent injury struggles if it meant retaining his presence in the dressing room. He hoped the 37-year-old, who left at the end of his contract this summer, would transition into the coaching staff from the first team when he was ready to stop playing - even suggesting he would employ him as a groundsman if it meant being able to access his wisdom.
Coleman's departure leaves a void
Instead, Coleman has left in a bid to extend his playing career even deeper into his 30s. He leaves behind him a void that cannot be filled. When combined with the departure of Idrissa Gueye, a respected figure to whom many past and current players have looked up to - from Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana to Iliman Ndiaye - then the dressing room has lost some influential voices.
The biggest remaining in the dressing room is Tarkowski, who has typically taken the armband in the absence of Coleman from the first XI for much of Sean Dyche and Moyes' tenure. So, does the 33-year-old feel an added responsibility as the dressing room attempts to move on this summer?
"Maybe slightly, maybe slightly," he said, adding: "Just because Seamus was such a huge figure in our dressing room, and around the whole football club to be honest, not just the dressing room.
"So, yeah, a little bit, but also, we've got some lads in there who will now step up, and I know they will."
Pickford and others ready to lead
One of those is England keeper Jordan Pickford, who has been part of the team leadership group for some time and will soon return to the club following his post-World Cup break. There are others, too. Tarkowski said: "Kiernan's [Dewsbury-Hall] a great leader. Jimmy Garner is stepping up, Jarrad [Branthwaite], [Michael Keane] Keano's there. Sometimes it sort of paves the way for someone to come and step up behind them.
"Maybe for now there is a bit more on me, but the lads in there will still put themselves [forward]. Even people like Trav and Kingy [back-up goalkeepers Mark Travers and Tom King], I know they're not keepers who play, but they are big voices in and around the dressing room all the time.
"There's a lot of characters in there and it is time for them to step up because we've lost a few important lads."
New arrivals add experience
Two new contenders - at different stages in their careers - are also set to add their voices to the mix after their arrivals this summer. Hayden Hackney, signed for an initial £16.5m, was the captain at Middlesbrough, where he was named Championship player of the year.
Everton confirmed the arrival of former Brentford captain Christian Norgaard in a £7m deal from Arsenal this week and the 32-year-old will provide Moyes with another voice of experience. Upon his arrival, the Premier League winner said: "I think leadership is something I have to bring and it's something I will bring without really thinking about it. Hopefully that will fit in really good with the culture and with how the players are here."
For the incumbent captain, Tarkowski, every moment he gets to wear the armband is special. He said: "I've worn the armband on the pitch quite a few times for the club now. It's always a privilege, it's always a special moment because of some of the great people who have captained this football club in the past, none more so than Seamus."
