The 2025/26 season has been a real breakthrough campaign for Everton midfielder James Garner.
That was an admission he made himself, as he faced reporters ahead of making his England debut on Friday night.
James Garner’s call up to this latest squad by Thomas Tuchel was fully deserved, and he now has a real shot at making the final World Cup squad.
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James Garner makes his England debut vs Uruguay at Wembley Stadium.
Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
Garner enjoyed a great debut against Uruguay, with Tuchel even likening him to Federico Valverde after the game.
Another good showing against Japan on Tuesday would really help his cause.
He’ll then return to Everton, and hopefully pick back up where he left off.
James Garner’s increasing maturity noted at Everton
It is one thing to be talented.
But there are plenty of other factors that go into becoming a really top footballer.
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Arguably, maturity is one such thing that helps – and that is something about Garner that has been catching the eye at Everton.
James Garner playing for Everton.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
The Athletic have run a feature piece about Garner today, detailing his rise from ‘gangly’ former defender to ‘England’s mini Valverde’.
The piece touches on Garner’s journey, which has been lengthy but is now bearing real fruit.
And there’s one interesting line about Garner’s maturity. It reads: “He has grown in stature and influence, and it has been noted that he is now starting to put his hand up more regularly for roles, such as media appearances, in the manner befitting a senior player.”
Garner could be a future Everton captain
Garner did actually talk up his leadership credentials earlier this season, saying: “I think (playing as a senior midfielder) comes quite naturally, to be fair.
“I’m quite a quiet leader. I’ve been captain pretty much every single place I’ve been at, coming through the youth teams, so it comes quite naturally to me.
“Hopefully, I can bring the lads along and whoever I end up playing in midfield, I’m sure I can help them and they can help me. We just want to keep picking up three points and keep on climbing the table.”
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Everton paid just £9m for him in 2022… 👏
James Garner playing for Everton.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
There will come a point in the not-too-distant future where Everton will be looking to choose a new captain.
Seamus Coleman is out of contract this summer and may not extend, while James Tarkowski – now 33 – doesn’t have too many years left at this level.
Jarrad Branthwaite could be an option to wear the armband next.
But Garner is also clearly someone who is looking more and more ready to be a captain based on how he is perceived at the club and the respect he surely demands.
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