David Moyes is pushing for one of his Everton players to get an England call up, and it’s not Jack Grealish.
The Toffees manager joined talkSPORT to discuss the start of the season, and zeroed in on one key man in the middle of the park - James Garner.
Garner has become one to watch since joining Everton
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Garner has become one to watch since joining EvertonCredit: Getty
When asked about the 24-year-old former Manchester United midfielder, he said: “He’s been fantastic since I came in, I didn’t realise how good he was.
“He’s been so good, he’s played great in midfield and I’ve said a couple of times recently he’s getting closer to being talked about for England because of his performances, he’s played fullback as well, he’s done a brilliant job for us.”
Moyes was keen to stress the competition for the Three Lions, continuing: “I think Alex Scott has done brilliantly for Bournemouth as well and England have got so many good players to select.
“So for him [Thomas Tuchel] to try and select a team, with discussions all week about Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden…
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“All I’m saying is Jimmy is one of the best young midfield players who in the future has a chance of getting a call up.”
Garner has played every single minute for Everton so far this season in 13 games across two competitions, notching a goal and assist and a squad leading 481 passes.
He’s also been a regular at England youth level, progressing from the under 18s to under 21s while breaking through at Manchester United.
Yet such is the competition at international level that Garner is facing a tough job to get in one of the most stacked squads in the game.
In fact, even Scot Moyes acknowledged the quality when jokingly asked if he’d admit England can win the 2026 World Cup.
“Not a chance! I couldn’t cross the border if I say that!” he replied with a laugh.
Garner has been a regular at underage level for England, but is yet to make his senior debut
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Garner has been a regular at underage level for England, but is yet to make his senior debutCredit: Getty
Garner has been Everton's midfield metronome so far this season
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Garner has been Everton's midfield metronome so far this season
“I have to say England are incredibly strong and I think the hardest thing that might come into it are the conditions in America which might have other impacts, if you don’t quite get it right in a quarter-final or semi-final you could find yourself…
“But I think England will go in with as strong as side as anybody in the World Cup."
Grealish for England?
Another of Moyes’ players that is pushing for a spot in Tuchel’s 2026 squad is Grealish, who has been one of the Premier League’s best players since his loan from Manchester City in the summer.
Moyes explained why his passion for the game makes him such a talent, and identified one area he can do better.
“Jack’s been really good. He’s helped us maintain the ball more, we’re up on numbers in terms of possession,” he said of the 2023 European treble winner.
“His goals have been huge, I’m sort of driving home to him that it’s good being an assist maker but it’s even better being a goalscorer.
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Moyes wants to see more goals from Grealish
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Moyes wants to see more goals from Grealish
“He’s given us a real strength in how he plays. He and Iliman Ndiaye have played really, really well and probably changed the way we are, we wanted to evolve and become better and both those players give us that opportunity.”
Moyes added: “He’s an incredible character, loves his football, watches and listens which a lot of the modern players don’t so much but Jack loves his football and Tuchel’s got a really difficult job [picking the squad].”