James Garner finally signs new Everton contract

After putting pen to paper on a new deal, Garner told evertontv: "I'm really excited to commit my future to Everton.

"I'm very grateful for all the support and all the love I've had over the past three-and-a-half years, but it's just the start.

"I've seen the progress we've made recently. Now I want to be part of that progress and get us back to where the Club deserves to be.

"I feel like I'm now a part of the Club and I'm hoping to be a part of it for a long time.

"I've got family members who are all Evertonians, so I know exactly the passion and, like I've just said, what it means to play for such a massive football club like this.”

Mainstay and future captain. Outstanding.

I wonder if there are any new signings pending?

Keep building, keep the faith, so many blue bloods deserve a team that includes such talent and effort, desire and commitment, this can keep getting better.

So made up for true blues.

Seamus and Tarkowski are not the future.

Any more good news on Beto going to Outer Mongolia?

I was impressed with Rohl last time out also. Keep Gueye on the bench for now...

Good move for all concerned. The player. The club. The fans.

Paul Trail in the Evertonia podcast made an important point last week - in Garner and Armstrong we have 2 excellent local lads who could be Everton's midfield mainstays for years to come.

As Gueye steps into the twilight of his career, Everton's midfield could be Garner, Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl and Iroegbunam. A young, energetic, skilful midfield capable of competing with the best in the league.

It'll be like getting a new player...

You don't have to have the captain's armband to be a big influence on the field — Harvey, Kendall, Morrissey, Peter Reid and others proved that.

Under Dyche, he looked just an okay midfield player; under Moyes, he has become the complete all rounder. Don't take my word for it -- James said himself the manager trusts him implicitly and has given him the confidence to become a better player.

I wouldn't be surprised if James is in the next England squad. As for him being captain, I am sure at some point he will be but he influences the team without the armband.

I said a few weeks back for the first time in a long time I am excited about the potential of this side: we have two very good midfield players in Garner and Dewsbury-Hall, with Rohl and Armstrong as back up, Ndaiye up top.

I don't know what will happen now over Grealish, whether we can send him back to City and look for a replacement in the summer or sign him permanently in the summer.

Barry is improving; we will know by the end of the season if he has improved enough to be our main striker next season; Aznou will have had more experience.

We have England's keeper and England centre-back in Branthwaite, paired with a very promising centre-back in O'Brien.

He isn't flashy and goes about his business on the park as well as any midfielder in the league.

His development at Man Utd has enabled him to compete with some of the best players in the Premier League.

It wouldn't surprise me if he got into the England World Cup squad.

I don't like goalkeepers as captains and neither Tarkowski nor Coleman would be considered a guaranteed starter with a full squad next season.

Garner is one of the few outfield players who is going to be playing every match he is available. It's time for another era-defining dynasty at the club. We've waited long enough. Give him the captaincy and build the team around him.

The contract is enough for me... captaincy for another day.
There should be 11 leaders in any team, some through shouting; some through example.

Moving on, what a clanger Ten Hag or whoever at Man Utd who was responsible for James Garner's sale to Everton, and for a measly £9-15M its been reported.

We now have a super midfield player who has outshone Gibbs-White and Anderson at Forest twice, been the best player on the pitch at Villa.

I also expect him to get an England call-up, he cannot be ignored. An ideal squad player who is not only an exceptional midfield player but is a great dead-ball deliverer who can also cover both full-back positions.

I would love to see him come on and partner Rice in England's midfield and I believe, given the chance, he will give Tuchel some selection headaches.

It looks like he is a true Evertonian now and credit and thanks should go to Everton for getting this contract over the line.

Some positive news about the club going forward; it also shows that we are becoming a very attractive proposition as part of "the project".

I'm not sure he's captain material though. I think for that you want someone who is unaffected by events on the pitch, who has real underlying strength of character.

I think only Tarkowsi and Coleman fit the bill on that score.

Cue hamstring injury at Finch Farm.

Played for Everton, Nottm Forest, Man Utd and Watford. Battles against relegation, winning promotion, U21 Euros winner... All this now paying off for him and us.

With Dewsbury-Hall, Garner, Armstrong, Ndiaye, Barry, O'Brien, Branthwaite, Rohl and Aznou, there's a nucleus of a young developing side here now. This is why we need to be patient with young players we've got!

Martin (26), I didn’t say it couldn’t be soon, I just don’t see that it has to be right now.