David Moyes has backed James Garner to be in the mix for an England call-up ahead of next summer's World Cup after an outstanding start to the season for Everton
James Garner admits one of his goals for this season is to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup. Garner is no stranger to representing his country.
After caps at various youth levels, he was a member of Lee Carsley's victorious European Under-21 Championship-winning squad back in 2023.
The former Manchester United man impressed at right-back during the competition and was outstanding in the 1-0 victory over Spain in the final at the Adjarabet Arena.
Blues boss David Moyes has already backed Garner to be handed a senior call-up while it has been claimed that Tuchel has been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old ahead of the World Cup in the US next year.
And Garner admitted: “I think that's every English boy's dream - to play for the national team. There's a lot of competition and I'm not naive enough to say I should be in the team.
“But at the same time, I do think I've had a good start to the season and ultimately that is my goal for this season, to get there or thereabouts with the England squad.”
Garner was signed from United for an initial £9million in August 2022 - and his commitment to Everton’s cause cannot be doubted.
Although his preferred position is in the middle of midfield, he has often played at right-back when required.
But at the start of this season, due to injuries to Vitalii Mykolenko and Adam Aznou, he found himself at left-back for the 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.
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Garner has since played left-back in the 2-0 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion and the 0-0 home draw with Aston Villa.
While he finished the recent 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium at right-back after Michael Keane went off injured in the second-half.
And Garner believes his versatility could aid him in his bid to be handed a maiden senior England call-up.
“I think it definitely plays in my favour,” he said. “I am very versatile. I can play pretty much every single position - I have played pretty much every single position for this club apart from striker and centre-back!
“That could definitely play in my favour. But ultimately for me, it's just to keep on playing consistently well, winning games on a weekend, showing that I am a natural winner and a half-decent player.”