James Garner: From a reserved young man to England's 'Valverde'

Impressive performance in his debut match for England, James Garner strongly impressed coach Thomas Tuchel and was likened to "England's Valverde".

Career turning point and affirmation from the England national team

Coach Thomas Tuchel's assessment of new recruit James Garner came right after England's friendly match against Uruguay. It was not just polite praise, but a recognition that defines a player on the rise.

"James Garner is a mini version of Federico Valverde," the German strategist shared with the press. "He is improving daily and played very well. I am quite confident he will perform well because he possesses natural confidence, robust stamina, and impressive ball recovery ability. In some situations, he could improve further in opening up his body and pushing the ball forward with greater confidence."

Tuchel also emphasized: "But overall, he made a strong impression throughout the training week and tonight's performance."

Being compared to Valverde – the midfield star of Real Madrid and also the player who scored the late equalizer for Uruguay from a penalty at Wembley – is clearly a weighty compliment. For Garner, it is deserved recognition after a notable debut.

Among the new faces of England in that match, Garner was one of the few players who truly left a clear mark. Within just the first 80 seconds of his international match at national team level, he delivered a dangerous cross. His set-piece situations carried high spin and threat, while his reading of the game allowed him to regain ball control multiple times in the midfield area.

Garner played a total of 69 minutes before being substituted. That was enough for this midfielder to make a strong impression. Not only performing well in central midfield, his ability to play as a wing-back is also a major advantage in Tuchel's eyes, as the coach is considering the 26-player squad for the World Cup in the USA in the coming months. Versatility is precisely Garner's "golden plus point."

Although newly appearing at the top-level national team stage, Garner's journey has not been short. This is the moment he begins to reap deserved rewards.

"Absolutely 1000%, this is a breakthrough season for me," Garner shared in his first press conference as an England player.

Statistical figures have proven that assessment. The Everton midfielder, already notable for his abundant energy and good technique, especially in set-piece situations, has this season elevated his game with impressive defensive intensity.

Garner currently ranks second in the Premier League for tackles and interceptions, behind only Joao Palhinha (Tottenham) and Moises Caicedo (Chelsea). He ranks seventh for ball recoveries and is the player with the highest duel success rate among the group of 20 players involved in the most duels this season.

Not only contributing defensively, Garner also has 6 assists – including 3 from set-piece situations – along with 2 goals, showing increasingly clear all-round ability.

Versatility played a crucial role in Garner's advancement. He started the season playing as a left-back for Everton. More recently, he has been used on the opposite flank – a position he previously held when helping England's U21 team win the European Championship in 2023.

At Everton, there was a view that his performance alone at the right-back position was enough to put this 25-year-old player in England's sights. Over four seasons at Merseyside, he has played various positions like wing-back or even right winger. However, the central midfield role is where Garner truly flourished.

Coach David Moyes has publicly supported his player multiple times, even placing Garner among the highest-performing midfielders in England this season. Matches against Nottingham Forest featuring Elliot Anderson are clear evidence, as Garner demonstrated superior class in Everton's two victories.

After the 3-0 victory over Chelsea, Moyes called him "the best player of the match." It was from Garner's pass that tore through the opponent's defense that Beto opened the scoring.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Garner received a call from Tuchel informing him of his call-up. Everything started with a FaceTime scheduling message, before the good news was officially confirmed via a direct call.

At Everton, Garner's inclusion in England's March squad was actually predicted beforehand, as Tuchel had closely monitored him for months.

On the way to training the next day, Garner shared this good news with his family. Upon joining the national team camp, he received a commemorative gold-plated cap, a reward for members of England's U21 team that won the 2023 European Championship.

In an interview after the Chelsea win, Garner admitted that at the start of the season, he never thought about the possibility of a national team call-up. But he always aimed for a big season, believing he had more to show. The challenge now is to maintain that form.

Long journey from academy to national team

This season Everton witnesses a completely different James Garner, both on and off the pitch. He has matured, gained greater influence, and begun actively taking on the role of a seasoned player, from playing to media activities.

"Since joining Everton, I've had quite a lot of misfortune with two back injuries and long-term absences," Garner shared. "The team was constantly fighting relegation, so I struggled to express myself."

"New season, new stadium, new coach, and only one year left on my contract (before I extended until 2030 in January), I understood I had to prove my ability. I set very high standards for myself and in the first three seasons, I knew I hadn't reached the necessary level. But I also knew I still had levels to reach."

Garner's talent was never doubted, but he needed time to develop and reach his current peak.

Born in Wirral, across the Mersey river from Liverpool, Garner was a familiar face in England youth teams and one of Manchester United academy's brightest talents.

Academy coach Eamon Mulvey once remarked: "He has excellent qualities and potential to become a leader. We encourage players to solve problems themselves, and Garner always stood out in decision-making and understanding the game. As he grew older, he also helped teammates. Though quite reserved, he always knew how to speak up at the right time."

"In over 20 years of work, he is one of the most resilient players in spirit. Always striving, always encouraging teammates, and possessing intense desire. That's the type of player you want when the team faces difficulties."

Initially, Garner was described as a "tall defender," but over time, he was compared to legend Michael Carrick or star Isco due to his refined ball-handling ability.

Former striker Juan Mata said in 2019: "I really enjoy watching him train or play for the U23s. You can see he understands football, always makes the right decisions. He is a genuine player."

Meanwhile, England U18 coach Neil Dewsnip was impressed with Garner's leadership ability. At a tournament in Dubai, this player proactively gathered teammates to recreate tactics using a miniature pitch model, even without being asked.

"He perfectly executed all conveyed information. That was astonishing for a 17-year-old player," Dewsnip recalled.

Two years playing for Nottingham Forest on loan were a crucial turning point, helping Garner catch Everton's eye. Former teammate Jack Colback once remarked his ability was "extraordinary."

Though wanting to return to Forest after helping them achieve promotion in 2022, the deal didn't materialize as Erik ten Hag had no plans to use him. Everton quickly stepped in, defeating Leicester City and Southampton to secure Garner's signature for an initial fee of £9 million, potentially rising to £15 million.

One factor that impressed Everton was his defensive support ability, particularly that Garner was always the fastest and most determined runner back when the team lost possession.

Nearly four years later, Garner has made his England debut and is aiming for the World Cup. "It's every boy's dream, and now it has become reality," he shared.