You realise defenders don’t operate in isolation?
Our defenders have to make a high number of blocks, tackles, clearances because of where we are as a team. We don’t dominate possession and come under sustained periods of pressure in our own half.
It’s why Lampard had specifically said he wanted to bring in defenders who could dominate the box, we do a lot of defending our own box. That isn’t because our defenders lack the ability to read the game but because it’s where we are as a team.
In any event, Tarkoski is joint second for most interceptions by a defender this season so suggests he does read the game well.
And feel finally, Tarkowski is nothing like Ben Godfrey, even as a “high end” version.