Michael Ball wowed by ‘intelligent’ James Garner who’s the ‘in-form’ player for Everton
Michael Ball has been blown away by James Garner this season, claiming he is the “in-form” player for Everton.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo (3 October), Ball praised the 22-year-old for his ability to force mistakes from opponents and retain possession after he emerged as one of Sean Dyche’s most reliable Toffees this season.
Garner has featured in every Everton game in all competitions this season, opening his goalscoring account with a League Cup goal against Aston Villa.
Ball wrote: “He’s the in-form player and a midfielder who likes to try and find a pass going forward and never hides. He’s got an all-round game and likes to press and force an error from an opponent.
“When he receives the ball, you can see an intelligent footballer who can make things happen. He’s not rushed, he’s assured and can put a bit of composure in that midfield.
“Sometimes it can be like a hot potato for us because we give the ball away so easily and so cheaply at times so Garner is the type of midfielder you need. The others might try and do something straight away and hit the ball out of play but he’s got the ability to look after it.”
Exceptional
Everton fans are, at best, expecting a very up-and-down season. They will pray for the former, but one player who is proving an up is Garner.
Following his move from Manchester United last summer, he has struggled to settle into the side. A stint on the sidelines through a back injury killed a lot of momentum, but Sean Dyche utilised him frequently in the last stretch of the season, starting him in seven of the last eight games.
This season, he is truly emerging as a top option for the boss, and having got his goal and an assist in all competitions so far, he could prove much more prolific too.
Per FBRef, Garner ranks second in the whole Toffees squad for shot-creating actions with 22, just one below Amadou Onana. If Everton’s frontline converted the chances they should be, the Englishman could have a bucket load of assists already.
What Garner does exceptionally, as Ball pointed out, is maintaining possession and keeping the ball safe. Against Brentford, the Toffees’ best performance of the season, Garner kept the ball safe across the field, popping up in the attacking third frequently, but also doing his defensive duties and tracking back to win the ball.
With 92 per cent pass accuracy as well, he proved key in Everton’s forward play. However, that was just one fixture. While Garner has been a standout, Dyche will depend on his consistency all season in the push for more points.
In other Everton news, a 777 Partners chief has issued an ‘ominous’ verdict after the Toffees defeat to Luton.