Everton midfielder James Garner could have his breakthrough year at Goodison Park this campaign with the club’s coaching staff impressed with the 22-year-old.
The £15m man missed a lot of football last season through injury but has already shown versatility and a composure beyond his years upon his return.
Filling in a right-back for Everton’s crucial Premier League decider against Bournemouth last season, Garner put in a superb display, performing a similar role for England U-21’s during the European Championships triumph this summer.
Indeed, Garner’s versatility is a real asset, though journalist Paul Brown insists that he will ‘get a lot of minutes’ in Everton’s midfield this season as he’s ‘got the talent’.
Speaking with GIVEMESPORT, Brown said: “I do think he (Garner) will get a lot of minutes because I think Amadou Onana’s form dips in and out quite a lot.
I don’t think you can expect Idrissa Gueye to play every game of the season. Abdoulaye Doucoure got injured last year too. So, I think there will be chances for Garner.
He’s got the talent, he’s got the commitment, he’s got the mentality. I hear good things about him from the coaching staff there, so I think he’s got a real chance this season and I would like to see him be the one that breaks through.”
James Garner will feel like a new signing this season
Garner could be a real creative outlet in Everton’s midfield this season, if played in a more advanced role, as he did during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
Helping Steve Cooper’s side gain promotion to the Premier League, Garner contributed four goals and eight assists in the Championship, recording 10 assists in all competitions in what was a superb campaign for the Birkenhead-born player.
Creativity has been in short supply at Goodison Park in recent seasons, and James Garner could be like a new signing for Sean Dyche this year.