England have made it to the final of the Under-21 European Championships thanks to a 3-0 win over Israel in the last four, with James Garner continuing to impress at right-back.
The Everton man was used as an emergency wing-back by Sean Dyche in the final two games of the Premier League season in the absence through injury of Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson and that prompted Lee Carsley to try him as a more conventional full-back for England U21s.
More naturally a central midfielder, Garner has made the right-back spot his own this summer as the Three Lions have progressed through the tournament in Georgia.
Both he and Blues club-mate Jarrad Branthwaite, who was an un-used substitute against the Israelies, now have the chance to win the Euros when they face either Spain or Ukraine in the final on Saturday.
Reader Comments (17)
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2 Posted 05/07/2023 at 20:44:01
3 Posted 05/07/2023 at 20:56:14
A very good midfielder, but then even better at right-wingback.
Garner looks like Coleman's ready-made replacement if Patterson continues to have his injury woes.
4 Posted 05/07/2023 at 20:59:57
5 Posted 05/07/2023 at 21:00:14
6 Posted 05/07/2023 at 21:21:35
He's quick without being a great dribbler and is good at getting a tackle in or picking off an interception.
If we keep Onana, then he'll probably be first choice alongside Doucouré and Gueye. It will be interesting to see where Garner gets used.
7 Posted 05/07/2023 at 21:22:14
Download the Uefa TV App from Google Play store, it's free and the coverage of all European football is excellent.
8 Posted 05/07/2023 at 21:28:17
I'm not surprised he's not played much. After his display against Germany, I wouldn't play him either. Talk about looking uninterested, bang average and possibly the only player who didn't have to have his kit washed after the game.
9 Posted 05/07/2023 at 21:40:41
Don't know what games you're looking at but Garner is no right-back. Against Germany, he was clueless and all over the place. He doesn't get forward and I can't remember him putting in a cross. I've watched all the games and apart from the first game when he played midfield; he's done nothing of note.
I'm just watching Spain v Ukraine, Spain winning 5 1 and I think they will batter England on Saturday. Hope Garner doesn't play right-back as he'll be served up with a bit of Garnerish.
10 Posted 05/07/2023 at 22:36:07
11 Posted 06/07/2023 at 06:56:15
Garner was excellent as a right-back in the final game of the season against Bournemouth. But I do believe that his most effective position may be right mid-field, where he and Patterson (if he can stay fit) can form a combative combination on the right with the right mix of skill, athleticism and aggression. Just like McNeil and Mykolenko seem to have developed a partnership on the left side.
If all players are fit, this starting XI is pretty decent:
Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Gana Onana McNeil
Doucoure
Calvert-Lewin
The problem is the drop-off in quality is quite steep when some of these first XI are injured or unavailable. For that reason, a few reinforcements, especially up front, are absolutely crucial.
12 Posted 06/07/2023 at 08:37:10
As you say, we need some incoming quality to provide us with a decent subs bench. left-back and striker cover particularly or we will collapse like a pack of cards again at the first sign of injuries (Calvert-Lewin, Patterson), or suspensions (Doucouré)!
13 Posted 06/07/2023 at 09:10:29
At £3M, we can afford to pay him decent wages and he'd defo add a new dimension to our attacking options, particularly if we're selling Gray.
14 Posted 07/07/2023 at 16:48:33
England have reached the final for the first time in 14 years and are aiming to win the competition for the third time, having been European champions in 1982 and 1984.
Five-time champions Spain have won three of the last six editions of the tournament, most recently in 2019.
The game at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi will kick off at 17:00 BST.
15 Posted 09/07/2023 at 11:55:14
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66131469
16 Posted 09/07/2023 at 12:06:54
17 Posted 09/07/2023 at 13:20:23
Modern football is all about pace and energy, and Garner seems to possess both. He has also spent most of his life getting schooled at Man Utd, which isn't surprising because he is also very calm when in possession of the football.
I'm not sure what is going to happen with Onana, but we have got two young midfielders with loads of potential, and these two might just even complement each other, and this would be highly beneficial for Dyche, who could suddenly have a very strong spine?
This obviously depends on Branthwaite hitting the ground running and Calvert-Lewin, staying fit, but maybe things are not as bad as they seem!
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1 Posted 05/07/2023 at 20:38:00