Daniel Feliciano

Tue 13 September 2022 10:32, UK

Everton made sure that they strengthened their midfield during the summer with three major signings, but one has gone under the radar more than others.

Amadou Onana was signed in a deal worth around £33m and is seen as one for the future as well as now, while Frank Lampard moved to bring back fan favourite Idrissa Gana Gueye from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth somewhere between £2m and £8m depending on reports.

But on deadline day the club also committed to a £15m deal to bring in 21-year-old James Garner from Manchester United, with around £10m guaranteed.

Onana has already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for Lampard after impressive performances since joining, and he’s been alongside Nigerian ace Alex Iwobi in the heart of the team too.

Iwobi isn’t naturally a central midfielder, usually playing further forward but since being forced to move back down the pitch he has become completely undroppable.

His pressing, his passing, his energy and his ability to carry the ball have made the team far more dangerous in transition. But he can’t do it on his own, and Onana despite his talent is still young to rely on fully too.

With Gueye’s experience folding into the squad alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, Garner could be the glue between them all despite his age and be that missing ingredient for Lampard’s Everton side.

Garner came up through the academy at Old Trafford as a deep-lying playmaker, with his passing and defensive positioning allowing him to control and dictate the tempo of games.

He became too good for youth football and then moved on loan to the Championship, where he was developed as more of a box-to-box midfielder to use his great energy to get around the pitch while he continued with his strong tackles and excellent passing.

Then a second season on loan saw him used in a more advanced way to get goal involvements added to his game, and he registered four goals and ten assists in all competitions.

Now he returns to step up a level once again to the Premier League, and with Lampard he has the chance of making himself the complete player that can do any role in the midfield.

Bringing him into the fold will allow for Lampard to adopt a more attacking lineup, but still keep the same principles in his play. Energy, passion, quality on the ball and a great work ethic.

It’s the chance for him to make a name for himself and for Everton to now become a better team, and all just for £15m. Bargain.