Journalist shares ‘integral’ James Garner verdict ahead of Everton Premier League clash v Luton Town
Everton midfielder James Garner has quickly become an “integral” part of the turnaround under Sean Dyche and will be key once again when they take on Luton Town on Saturday (30 September), according to Andy Hunter.
The Guardian journalist, writing for the UK publication ahead of this weekend’s games (29 September) shared that the £15m midfielder signed in the summer of 2022 (Sky Sports) has now been one of the more “astute” signings in recent memory at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old finally opened his account for the Toffees in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup on Wednesday (27 September) in another superb individual performance after impressing against Brentford last weekend.
And Hunter writing for The Guardian believes Dyche has now probably found the right formula despite plugging “several round holes with square pegs” so far this season.
He wrote: “An integral part of the turnaround has been the form, and positioning, of James Garner. The 22-year-old, one of the more astute signings in recent times at Everton, scored his first goal for the club and was voted player of the match in the Carabao Cup victory at Aston Villa.
“The £15m recruit from Manchester United was handed a rare start in his favoured central midfield role at Villa Park and partnered Amadou Onana to telling effect.
“Having plugged several round holes with square pegs in the opening weeks, Dyche now has options and difficult choices to make as he attempts to transfer Everton’s newfound away form into a first win of the season at Goodison Park.”
Superb player
Garner has been nothing short of remarkable in the last few weeks at Everton, already repaying the faith Frank Lampard showed in him when he bought him back in September last year.
The former Chelsea boss certainly got one thing right at Goodison Park during his tumultuous tenure on Merseyside and it’s great to see fans are now fully appreciating the quality and class Garner brings, despite performing in unfamiliar roles under Dyche.
The former Manchester United academy graduate has become one of the few success stories in Everton’s season so far and is certainly now undroppable in Dyche’s team.
The last two Everton results have partly been down to his incredible endeavour in midfield coupled with the qualities of Onana alongside him, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite at the back and the resurgence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
If Dyche can keep that impressive crop of players fit and firing for the coming crucial weeks ahead, then Everton could be well in for a much better campaign than the two consecutive near-relegation campaigns.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are locked in a Premier League battle to sign one of the hottest teenage footballing talents in Brazil with a January exit now possible.