The midfielder has been called up for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan
James Garner of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
James Garner of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
View Image
James Garner has earned his first call-up to the England senior squad.
The 25-year-old will be in contention for his debut as Thomas Tuchel’s side faces Uruguay and Japan in the final friendlies before he selects who he will take to this summer’s World Cup.
It is a landmark moment in a standout season for Garner, who signed a new Everton deal in January after emerging as one of David Moyes’ most important players during a campaign of extraordinary progress for the club.
Garner entered the summer with uncertainty over where he would fit within Moyes’ plans as the Blues boss sought to overhaul a threadbare Everton squad exhausted by years of successive relegation battles. Backed by the financial clout of new owners the Friedkin Group, Moyes embarked upon the first stages of a long-term rebuild that has the intention of taking Everton back into Europe.
FOLLOW OUR EVERTON FC FACEBOOK PAGE!Latest EFC news and analysis from via the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated FB page
That goal is already within reach after an impressive campaign built largely on the club’s away form, the Blues having stuttered at times at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium home but being able to consolidate their place in the top half with memorable victories at the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Garner was central to each of those surprise wins and many more, including with his standout performance in a Christmas win at Nottingham Forest. The former Forest loanee burst through the home side’s backline to fire Everton ahead and then delivered a stunning through ball for Thierno Barry to complete the job.
His importance to Moyes has seen his club manager repeatedly push his name forward for a senior call-up. That backing formed the foundation for Tuchel’s interest, which has grown with each impressive display Garner has produced while the ex-Chelsea manager has been watched from the stands. Tuchel was present - to watch others, including the now injured Everton loanee Jack Grealish - when Garner stood out in the Everton wins at Old Trafford and Villa Park.
His consistency, and his ability to drag his club side to wins through multiple selection crises, have seen him rise to become central to Moyes’ plans and a potential future captain. His versatility is also crucial and the comfort with which he can play right back might also be an attraction to Tuchel.
A new four-and-a-half year deal reflected his growing importance earlier this year - one that, when announced, led Garner to state: "[Playing for England] is the dream. As soon as you start playing professional football, you want to play in the Premier League and hopefully one day play for your country. I feel like this is the closest [to an England call-up] that I've ever been in terms of my short career so far. I've started the season well, but I feel like I'm only just getting going and I feel like there's a lot more to come from me."
Garner, who won the European Championships with the Under-21s in 2023, is now set to get that opportunity after an international breakthrough that adds further gloss to Everton’s season by highlighting how rising talents can achieve their wider ambitions without having to leave Merseyside - a key pillar to the efforts to grow the club that will continue over the summer.
Jordan Pickford has also been called up, along with former Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.