Garner has set his sights on a place in the England squad after an impressive start to the campaign which saw him blasting home a brilliant effort from distance in the 2-0 win over Brighton in August.

He has played every minute of Everton’s four Premier League fixtures to date, with the Blues positioned in the Top 6 after a solid start. 

The 24-year-old has shown his versatility by deputising at left-back amid injury issues, in addition to his preferred midfield role. So far this season, only Crystal Palace left-back Tyrick Mitchell has won more tackles than the Everton man.

Moyes mentioned Garner as an option for England earlier this month, and it’s an ambition the midfielder is unafraid to discuss. 

Having won 18 caps for the England U21 side and earned inclusion in the Team of the Tournament as the Young Lions won the European Championship in 2023, Garner believes he’s capable of stepping up to the senior squad.

“It’s been a good start to the season, but I’m focused on keeping it going for a full season,” he said in the matchday programme ahead of the draw with Aston Villa at the weekend.

“As I say, the past few seasons have been up and down for me. I want to stay fit, first and foremost, and I want to play as much as I can, have a good season for the club and hopefully get recognised by England at some point, too.

“I want to get into that England team – that’s my long-term goal. I know it’s not going to happen overnight, but I definitely feel like I’ve got the quality, so it’s just about keeping consistent and improving with every game. I’m hopeful it’ll come.”

Reader Comments (20)

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Mike Morgan
1 Posted 16/09/2025 at 19:09:03
I'm pleased Garner is getting some recognition. He had a positive impact last season when returning from injury. This season, he's shown flexibility and willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of the team.

I think he's a tidy player with a football brain. Having better players to link up with hopefully will let us see how good he really is.

Christy Ring
2 Posted 16/09/2025 at 20:03:50
It's a nice confidence boost from Moyes to mention Garner for England.

Hopefully he'll be a regular in our midfield now, and not left-back, and give him a new contract now.

Peter Moore
3 Posted 16/09/2025 at 22:09:30
Garner is a quality player with top-class attitude and application too. Only 24 too.

A superb future for him and us is unfolding at resurgent Everton on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.

Robert Tressell
4 Posted 17/09/2025 at 16:09:17
I have generally thought Garner would peak just below the level of an England cap - and would probably need to be replaced by a better player as the team improves.

However, I would be delighted to be wrong.

He's responded very well to playing in a better team, with better players around him. Hopefully he does get England recognition. He's never going to be flashy but he does the simple things well (which sounds like a put down but is not intended to be).

I bet Man Utd are wondering why they let him go - with a succession of expensive crap coming in as supposed upgrades.

Mike Gaynes
5 Posted 17/09/2025 at 16:30:50
Robert #4, in 5 years on their books, Garner only played 9 minutes of Premier League football for Man Utd, and I doubt their star-worshipping, glamour-hungry management and fans even remember he was ever there. His working-man's style never had a prayer of being appreciated amongst what you accurately describe as their expensive crap.

I'd be willing to bet that he's been overlooked by England for the same reason. And unfortunately for him, he doesn't qualify to play for any other country. English through and through.

As for our club, as I've said before, I view him as a foundational piece of the Everton of the future, and no matter how glamorous we get in the coming years, I believe there will always be a place for him.

Just stay healthy, young man.

Andy Crooks
6 Posted 17/09/2025 at 17:20:02
Mike, if you were trying to hide your disdain for Man Utd, you haven't quite got away with it!!
Mike Gaynes
7 Posted 17/09/2025 at 17:33:12
Andy, and I was trying so hard not to let it show!
Jay Harris
8 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:12:11
I think Jimmy Garner is one of those players who are so important to a successful team but not so flashy that they get noticed.

He just does the basics so well and consistently.

Dale Self
9 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:30:35
Good call, all.

Garner and Dewsbury-Hall are just the type of players needed for Everton's revival. Modest, no-nonsense footballers who could make this their platform for stardom, if Tuchel figures it out.

Derek Thomas
10 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:38:10
A tidy player who'll be lucky if he gets 1 cap due to playing for the 'wrong' club.
Jerome Shields
11 Posted 18/09/2025 at 06:37:04
Tuchel has already set his stall out of seasoned professionals, with a small variation on that. I can't see Garner even getting a look-in. England were pretty poor against Andorra.

Maybe Tuchel is gradually building up, he definitely needs a lot of building. He didn't even select Branthwaite when fit. Maybe something was spotted in the way he was training. It will be interesting to see if Grealish gets a call-up.

Garner is playing well. He has footballers around him now who can progress the ball. Grealish was given special attention by Villa but still managed to put in a consistent performance.

Ian Bennett
12 Posted 18/09/2025 at 07:44:38
David Weir surprisingly just left Brighton.
Geoff Trenner
13 Posted 18/09/2025 at 08:41:39
Cover until Branthwaite comes back Ian?
Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 18/09/2025 at 09:50:19
Ian (12) Weir was interested in a position at Everton when Dyche was manager but decided to stay at Brighton where his son was a player there, not sure if the kid is still there.

I think he had a good relationship with Moyes, maybe he could come back here and make up for Moyes’s appointment of Charlie Adams.

Pete Neilson
15 Posted 18/09/2025 at 10:40:49
There’s an Article in The Athletic about David Weir being replaced by Jason Ayto. It suggests that while he did a good job his promotion came too soon, forced by Dan Ashworth going to Newcastle. Ayto is seen as more experienced and more stats focussed with his background in analytics.

Link

Anthony Hawkins
16 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:02:55
If Everton become more consistent and remain in the top half, top 8 it'll become difficult for Tuchel to ignore the players. I suspect however he has his favourites and will be difficult to change his perspective.

Imagine England having Pickford, Branthwaite, Garner and Grealish in it's squad. The '86 England squad might be the one with the most Everton players and this would be a close second.

Anthony Hawkins
17 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:05:07
I was wrong. It would equal the '86 Everton representation.
Dave Abrahams
18 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:14:15
Pete (15), Thanks for the tip Pete but couldn’t get the link— you had to join The Athletic to read the link.

Mike Gaynes might give us the information, he reads that paper.

Martin Reppion
19 Posted 19/09/2025 at 07:57:02
Garner is the sort of player, like Leon Osman, who you don't notice until he isn't there.

He links play, brings others into the game by giving them room to show the flashier skills. But ignore them at your peril. Both Garner and Osman are (were) capable of producing great goals alongside the more prosaic play that every team needs.

I see him as a rock to build the side around. He'll never be noticed by other teams' fans. But we know.

Think Noble at West Ham. I am sure there are others, but as I said, other teams' fans don't notice them.

Ian Cowhig
20 Posted 20/09/2025 at 10:32:41
Didier Deschamps, once, was called ‘The Water Carrier’ in a derogatory way by Eric Cantona. It became Deschamp’s ‘nom de guerre’, he embraced it.

Deschamps inclusion in the French team was significantly influential to their success. Cantona, despite his brilliance, was a bit part player.

James Garner is Everton’s ‘Water Carrier’.

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