James Garner, David Moyes, Everton
(Credit: Imago)
Goodison News Speaking to Ian Darke
Sun 23 March 2025 14:13, UK
James Garner is among the Everton crop who have turned their season around under David Moyes.
When enough of a squad so drastically improves their individual campaign, so in turn does the team as a unit, which refers back to Moyes’ insistence on crediting his players rather than his own impact.
Garner struggled with injuries during the half of this season under Sean Dyche, but has become an integral and often underrated player in the middle of the park.
Everton star Garner arrived from Manchester United in 2022 (Credit: Imago)
Garner ‘overlooked’ at Everton says Darke
Garner is expected by some to depart Everton this summer, despite his increasing level of importance back on his native Merseyside.
A Wirral lad, Garner is ironically closer to home these days than his academy upbringing at Manchester United, where he swapped red for blue in 2022.
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He has made just 14 appearances this season in all competitions due mainly to a back injury and before that a calf issue, though he has now started each of the last eight since returning as a substitute in the win at Brighton on 25 January.
TV commentator Ian Darke believes Garner is “overlooked” due to the “destroyers” around him in Moyes’ side, with his contract expiring in 2026 and Bryan King among those anticipating that any extension to his deal would merely be to sell him on for a higher fee.
“I do think he’s a talented player who’s overlooked,” Darke exclusively told Goodison News.
“When Everton played recently against Leicester at home, he played a couple of wonderful passes to help create goals. I like him because he’s a pass-picker. They can’t all be destroyers and box-to-box, even when he does display a bit of that.
“All in all, Garner is pretty talented. He wasn’t fit for a spell at the start of the season but he’s come back really well.”
Moyes and the board will rebuild the squad in the summer (Credit: Imago)
Moyes and Toffees board to take stock of squad in summer
There will be a degree of squad rebuilding taking place at Everton in the summer, such is the perceived ambition of the Friedkins.
Garner could take the plunge but so could various other players, with the Toffees believing they need upgrades in key areas to take them to the next level.
James Garner – Everton appearances APPS
2022-23 17
2023-24 44
2024-25* 14*
Garner has suffered with injuries but still racked up the games for Everton (*ongoing)
The financial implications are as yet unclear, with plans in place to pay off Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium and keep the Toffees on smooth ground, of which they have not experienced nearly enough over recent years under the Moshiri regime.
Garner just recently turned 24 and has plenty to offer, and could be one Moyes would prefer to keep in the building.
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