Photo via BBC Sport

'Mini Valverde' wanted by Chelsea - Garner is now Everton's main man

James Garner has established himself as an indispensable figure in Everton's midfield, most recently shining in a 0-0 stalemate away to Tottenham Hotspur despite undergoing hernia surgery during pre-season. The former Manchester United trainee outbattled Tottenham's expensive midfield duo of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, earning high praise from Match of the Day analysts Thomas Frank and Ashley Williams for his pressing, positioning, and leadership.

Originally bought for a £9m initial sum in 2022 following a promotion-winning loan stint with Nottingham Forest, Garner initially navigated club instability under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche before truly breaking out. Manager David Moyes noted his rapid transition into a mature leader, exemplified when he netted during a depleted squad's 2-0 victory at Forest.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Garner was sidelined for only six league minutes, pacing Everton across multiple statistical categories by leading in completed passes, tackles, interceptions, opportunities created, and assists—setting up four of his seven total goals after Jack Grealish suffered a season-ending injury in January.