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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2 Posted 16/09/2025 at 20:03:50
Hopefully he'll be a regular in our midfield now, and not left-back, and give him a new contract now.
3 Posted 16/09/2025 at 22:09:30
A superb future for him and us is unfolding at resurgent Everton on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.
4 Posted 17/09/2025 at 16:09:17
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.
5 Posted 17/09/2025 at 16:30:50
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.
6 Posted 17/09/2025 at 17:20:02
7 Posted 17/09/2025 at 17:33:12
8 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:12:11
He just does the basics so well and consistently.
9 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:30:35
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.
10 Posted 17/09/2025 at 19:38:10
11 Posted 18/09/2025 at 06:37:04
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.
12 Posted 18/09/2025 at 07:44:38
13 Posted 18/09/2025 at 08:41:39
14 Posted 18/09/2025 at 09:50:19
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.
15 Posted 18/09/2025 at 10:40:49
16 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:02:55
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.
17 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:05:07
18 Posted 18/09/2025 at 12:14:15
Mike Gaynes might give us the information, he reads that paper.
19 Posted 19/09/2025 at 07:57:02
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.
20 Posted 20/09/2025 at 10:32:41
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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1 Posted 16/09/2025 at 19:09:03
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.