Chelsea Considering Signing Everton Star Ahead of Facing Toffees on Saturday

According to a report by Football London on Tuesday October 13, 2026, Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for Everton defender James Tarkowski as Xabi Alonso looks to strengthen his squad with experienced players ahead of another transfer window.

The Blues will resume their Premier League campaign against Everton on Saturday, hoping to build on their impressive 5-1 victory over Bournemouth before the international break.

Jordan Henderson was the standout performer at Stamford Bridge, delivering an outstanding display during his first start at the stadium. His experience has already proved valuable to Chelsea following his arrival.

The midfielder and Danny Welbeck have brought valuable leadership and maturity to the squad, supporting Chelsea’s evolving recruitment strategy, which increasingly prioritises experienced professionals alongside younger talents.

According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, Tarkowski has emerged as a potential target as the club considers adding another seasoned defender to its options.

“James Tarkowski from Everton would definitely tick a lot of those boxes in terms of the experience and other bits and pieces,” Phillips said on YouTube.

He explained that the defender’s name had been mentioned to him the previous week, although he was still working to establish whether there was substance behind the information before reporting it.

Tarkowski, 33, has featured in every Everton match this season and has also scored once. He is expected to play an important role when the Toffees welcome Chelsea this weekend.

Alonso has favoured a system featuring three centre-backs, with Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill forming the defensive trio against Bournemouth.

Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana provide additional options, but Chelsea could benefit from introducing a defender whose experience would help maintain high standards across the squad.

Tarkowski’s potential arrival would offer another dependable option at the back, particularly given the demands of competing across multiple competitions. His leadership and Premier League experience could complement Chelsea’s existing defensive resources.

However, the reported interest remains unconfirmed, with Phillips acknowledging that he is still investigating the information. Chelsea’s possible pursuit of the Everton defender will become clearer as the next transfer window approaches.

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