How James Tarkowski could help Aston Villa – Free agent may instantly become Villa’s best centre-back

After wrapping up the signing of Boubacar Kamara, it looks like Aston Villa may dip back into the free agent market for their next summer signing.

Multiple reports have linked Villa with a move for Burnley’s out of contract centre-back James Tarkowski, as the club looks to bolster its back line. But what would he bring to Villa Park and how would he fit in?

From a purely defensive point of view, Tarkowski is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, and has been for some time.

Per 90 minutes among 41 Premier League centre-backs with at least 20 appearances in 2021/22, Tarkowski ranks:

• 1^st in interceptions
• 3^rd in possession-adjusted interceptions
• 3^rd in percentage of opposition shots blocked
• 7^th in defensive duels win percentage
• 13^th in aerial duels win percentage.

Those stellar numbers are even more impressive when compared to Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa. In the same statistical categories, here are the rankings for Villa’s incumbent centre-backs:

• Interceptions: Mings 10^th, Konsa 27^th
• Possession-adjusted interceptions: Mings 9^th, Konsa 30^th
• Percentage of opposition shots blocked: Konsa 9^th, Mings 25^th
• Defensive duels win percentage: Konsa 27^th, Mings 41^st (dead last)
• Aerial duels win percentage: Mings 25^th, Konsa 36^th.

Tarkowski also ranks in the 97^th percentile among his fellow centre-backs in the top five European leagues for clearances and in the 77^th percentile for tackles over the last year.

He figures to offer a significant upgrade over both Mings and Konsa when it comes to the most important part of being a centre-back: Defending. It’s clear to see why he would be of interest to Steven Gerrard.

Respected football ratings website WhoScored grades Tarkowski as a much better player than Mings and Konsa over the three seasons they have all played in the Premier League at the same time. Here are their overall rankings out of Premier League centre-backs with at least 20 appearances:

• 2021/22: Tarkowski 7^th (out of 41), Mings 20^th, Konsa 40^th
• 2020/21: Tarkowski 6^th (out of 40), Mings 18^th, Konsa 22^nd
• 2019/20: Tarkowski 3^rd (out of 40), Mings 36^th, Konsa 39^th

Tarkowski ranked 6^th in 2018/19 and 5^th in 2017/18, when Konsa was in the Championship and Mings didn’t play enough for Bournemouth in the Premier League to qualify.

Those rankings essentially show Mings to be at best a low-end first centre-back and Konsa a high-end second-centre back. Tarkowski on the other hand grades as a quality first centre-back.

Of course, there is context to consider. Villa have struggled to help their back line without a strong defensive presence in midfield since they were promoted, whereas Burnley play a more rigid system which may provide Tarkowski more protection.

Likewise, his high numbers for clearances and tackles could be impacted by the fact Burnley routinely have an especially low amount of possession.

Regardless, Tarkowski’s defensive prowess is clear. The real question which will be justifiably asked is whether his ability on the ball is good enough. I won’t lie to you; it doesn’t look great.

Due to Burnley’s style, Tarkowski was not asked to pass the ball very much. He ranked dead last among Premier League centre-backs in received passes in 2021/22 and 39^th out of 41 in pass attempts.

When he does pass the ball though, the accuracy is a real concern. Tarkowski ranked 39^th in pass accuracy. Some may point out he was probably required to regularly punt the ball long at Burnley, which could lead to lower accuracy, which is true, and Tarkowski was 3^rd in average pass length.

However, he still ranked 38^th in backwards pass accuracy, dead last in lateral pass accuracy, and dead last in short/medium pass accuracy. None of those statistics should be seriously impacted by playing style.

So, he can’t really pass. But here’s the thing, Villa’s current centre-backs aren’t asked to be a huge part of the progression of the ball anyway, and their numbers aren’t much better than Tarkowski’s in many areas.

Here is where Mings and Konsa rank in the same passing categories:

• Received passes: Mings 29^th, Konsa 33^rd
• Pass attempts: Mings 29^th, Konsa 37^th
• Pass accuracy: Konsa 15^th, Mings 35^th
• Backwards pass accuracy: Konsa 31^st, Mings 33^rd
• Lateral pass accuracy: Konsa 20^th, Mings 27^th
• Short/medium pass accuracy: Konsa 14^th, Mings 33^rd.

Konsa is clearly a better passer of the ball than Tarkowski, but Mings not so much. Don’t get it twisted, Tarkowski’s lack of passing ability is a worry, but how much would Villa really be losing in that regard by playing him over Konsa or Mings?

That brings us to the issue of who Tarkowski will take the place of. There has been talk of Kortney Hause departing this summer, so Villa would have room for another body in that case. The club would be left with only one left-footed centre-back, but Tarkowski has played on the left side for Burnley plenty.

Tarkowski could therefore serve as a threat to both of Villa’s current centre-backs, but Mings may be the most at risk of losing his starting spot, and also his captaincy as a result.

Tarkowski and Mings as a pairing may not be optimal due to their common trait of being unreliable on the ball. Tarkowski is plainly a better defender than Mings, and while he is worse in possession, Mings is barely an upgrade.

Signing Tarkowski on a free transfer makes a lot of sense for Villa as a quality and experienced defender. It would also be value for money, even at a reported offered salary of £120,000.

Leicester City were once reported to have made a £30million bid for the centre-back, and that’s before paying him any wage. If Villa were to sign Tarkowski to let’s say, a three-year contract at £120,000 a week, it would work out the same as paying just over £9million in a transfer fee and a wage of £60,000 a week.

There are other potential options from abroad who could offer more upside, but if Steven Gerrard wants to add an immediate, reliable upgrade in defensive ability to his back four, Tarkowski could be the answer.