REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
For many years, Everton supporters have been crying out for added quality in the senior ranks to try and finally mount a push for a European finish in the Premier League.
The Toffees have now failed to finish in the top eight of England’s top-flight for over a decade, which has seen the supporters’ demands grow year on year on Merseyside.
David Moyes will be hoping to end such a drought in the 2026/27 campaign, as his senior side have already gone unbeaten in the first five outings of the new season.
REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
One player in particular will be vital to such efforts in the near future, as he hopes to once again prove why he’s been one of the club’s best signings in recent history.
Why Pickford is Everton's best signing in recent history
In the summer of 2017, eyebrows were raised across England, as Everton forked out £25m for the signing of Jordan Pickford after he suffered relegation with Sunderland.
Nine years on from his big-money transfer, it’s safe to say the Englishman has proved to be worth every penny - as seen by his remarkable figures in recent times.
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The 32-year-old has now racked up 365 appearances for the Toffees since his big-money transfer, which has enabled him to become England’s number one shot-stopper.
He’s made 91 senior appearances for his country, with his form at club-level allowing him to become a key member of the Three Lions squad on the international stage.
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Jordan Pickford - PL record for Everton
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Even this season for Moyes’ men, Pickford has demonstrated his quality, as he’s already claimed the August Save of the Month award for his effort against Crystal Palace.
As a result, he’s already kept three clean sheets for the Toffees this campaign, subsequently helping the club maintain their unbeaten start to the new season.
The £25m fee paid for his signature now looks to be a phenomenal piece of business and one which has allowed the club to be the home to one of Europe’s best ‘keepers.
Why one Everton star is becoming the best signing since Pickford
Since the club’s last European adventure, it’s safe to say the hierarchy have wasted a huge amount of money on players who ultimately aren’t good enough for the Premier League.
Such dealings have seen the club often battle relegation in recent seasons and put their ever-present top-flight status into huge jeopardy on multiple occasions.
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However, not all of their dealings have failed to catch the eye, with multiple of the recent additions being able to push the Toffees back into the right direction.
Midfielder James Garner is a player who certainly falls into the latter of the two categories, with the former Manchester United man now a key component in Moyes’ system.
The Englishman, who cost just £9m in the summer of 2022, had to bide his time on Merseyside - even featuring at right-back during the early months of his stint.
Everton's James Garner during the warm up before the match
He’s since shifted into a more natural central midfield role, which has seen the 25-year-old reach the next stage in his development in the Premier League.
Garner has started all but one game this term, and has often been the pace setter for the Toffees - as seen by his remarkable underlying figures from recent outings.
He’s managed to complete 91% of the passes he’s attempted this campaign, with such a tally the highest of any midfielder currently available to Moyes.
Such a figure also places him above 86% of other midfielders in the league, which demonstrates his excellent ability to dictate the play from deep-lying positions.
Even without the ball, the Englishman has managed to catch the eye, subsequently making 12.1 defensive contributions per 90 already this campaign.
The aforementioned figure has seen him also beat 80% of players in his position this season, with his workmanlike nature perfect for the manager’s current system.
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
As a result of his tremendous displays, Garner has seen his market value skyrocket, with Transfermarkt’s £38m valuation seeing a 325% increase on the fee paid for his signature.
The £9m deal to sign the midfielder four years ago now looks to be a superb piece of business by Everton and one that could make them a hefty profit in the years ahead.
However, Moyes and the supporters won’t be worrying about that, with the youngster seen as a key member of the squad and one who could be a key player in their hunt for European football.
There’s no reason why he can’t reach the same status as Pickford in the years ahead, with the midfielder having all the tools to also be a monster hit on the international stage.
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