Everton legend Tony Hibbert has waxed lyrical over one star who has left him gobsmacked this season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton have impressed under David Moyes so far in the Premier League, tallying 15 points from 11 games.
Although they aren’t quite in the European picture, there are the signs of a strong side coming along nicely.
And one man in James Garner has been hyped massively by Tony Hibbert, who has been left gobsmacked by the former Manchester United starlet.
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Tony Hibbert says James Garner could play anywhere across the pitch for David Moyes
Speaking to Everton’s official website, Tony Hibbert praised James Garner for his versatility, stating that he wouldn’t look out of place in any position across the pitch.
And the cult hero Evertonian added that he was ‘gobsmacked’ by how well Garner had done in recent weeks, being a great asset for David Moyes.
Hibbert said: “I think ‘wow’. I think you could play him in any position, and he wouldn’t look out of place at all on that pitch.
“I think you can play [James Garner] in any position and he wouldn't look out of place at all on that pitch.” 🗣️
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“To be honest, I’m gobsmacked with him. He’s got everything, he seems a good lad around the club.
“The lads like him, you can see what he wants for his teammates and how they want to play.
“I think he’s just a great asset to have for us.
“And he doesn’t stop running, so it helps.
“It’s like he’s up and down, he’s attacking forward, he’s got a brain to defend as well. What an asset to have on your team. Definitely a player that you’ll want in your side.”
It’s no wonder that Garner has been linked with a move elsewhere, but with six months left on his contract and a 12-month trigger, Everton still need to make him sign a new deal.
James Garner has been Everton’s unsung hero so far this season
Iliman Ndiaye, rightly, is getting the plaudits for his incredible dribbling and ability to create something out of nothing.
Jack Grealish has come back to life after a lull at Manchester City, and Jordan Pickford will always be highly regarded for his performances – with Gary Lineker putting the England stopper amongst the best in the league.
Everton may need to qualify for Europe to keep some of their top players next year!
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But it’s James Garner who has been Everton’s unsung hero. He’s featured in both central midfield and at right-back this season, scoring on the opening day of the season and being an incredibly reliant part of the side in general.
An England call-up shout has even been issued by David Moyes, and if England’s other midfield options begin to falter, Garner’s ability and versatility could see him work his way onto the plane for the World Cup this summer.