Everton star James Garner played exceptionally once again in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday, proving to be another dependable member of David Moyes’ squad.
Everton have relied on James Garner heavily throughout the season, with his consistency, availability and versatility all coming in handy as David Moyes’ men moved into the top half of the Premier League.
It’s been by far Garner’s best season in an Everton shirt so far, receiving plaudits for his performances and even being touted for England call-ups ahead of the World Cup this summer.
And Everton’s win against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening will have pushed him further into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking – though he’s only won half of a week-long battle.
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Everton star James Garner massively increased his England chances on Tuesday
Coming up against Alex Scott, the Toffees beating Bournemouth will have impressed Thomas Tuchel.
Not only was Garner able to stifle Antoine Semenyo on the flanks, but he kept a clean sheet in a makeshift right-back role against the Cherries, marking their first defeat at the Vitality Stadium this season and recording Everton’s first ever league win against the Dorset-based outfit.
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It’s another string to his bow, having gone from being a general squad player to one of the first names on the team sheet this season.
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And with Scott having made the previous England squad, Garner showed exactly why he should be ahead of the Guernsey-born star in the reckoning for a place on the plane in the summer.
Saturday will be James Garner’s biggest test to get into the England setup
However, that is only one part of this week’s challenge for James Garner, who is aiming to prove he is better than the competition that lays ahead of him.
Former Everton boss Sean Dyche will oversee Nottingham Forest as Saturday’s visitors to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they have two midfielders who are looking to find their place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad in June.
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Morgan Gibbs-White is one option, though he may be considered as a backup for the likes of Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers in the attacking midfield roles.
However, Elliot Anderson is one of the top choices to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield and Garner must oust the Newcastle-native to really stamp his mark.
With Idrissa Gueye and Merlin Rohl being out of action, Garner will be the main focal point for David Moyes and if ever there was a chance to shine, it’s now for the Birkenhead-born star.
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