Credit: Sky Sports and Imago

Daniel Lewis

Mon 30 March 2026 13:40, UK

Everton midfielder James Garner faces intense competition to nail down an England place, but Tim Sherwood thinks he has a solution.

Garner was England’s best player in Friday’s underwhelming 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay at Wembley.

The 25-year-old was making his senior debut for the Three Lions, yet he did not look at all out of place.

However, Garner has some work to do to win over everyone, with some serious talents also battling for a central-midfield berth.

Garner can use Everton’s remaining Premier League games as an audition of sorts, but Sherwood thinks there is a better solution.

Tim Sherwood wants to see an England vs England friendly

Declan Rice looks nailed on for one of the England midfield spots, while Jude Bellingham will also likely start at the World Cup if fit.

That is not to mention other midfield contenders, one of whom is Manchester United ace Kobbie Mainoo.

Sherwood was asked for his thoughts on both players while speaking on Sky Sports News on Monday morning.

And the former Tottenham boss then pitched a bizarre friendly match that he would have played instead of Tuesday’s friendly with Japan as a way for Thomas Tuchel to whittle down his options.

“I would pay to watch them play 11 vs 11 against each other, so you can learn as a manager,” he said.

“There’s six or seven guaranteed to play at the World Cup. The rest are fighting for the shirt.

“If I’m a midfield player, I want to prove to the public and manager I’m up for it. We’ve talked about Mainoo and Garner – play them against each other. Let’s see it.

“It’s fine in training, but let’s have a head-to-head in front of fans.”

Sherwood’s idea may sound rather unique, but it is actually not the worst idea in the world.

In fact, an XI vs XI would have more of an edge to it than a friendly against Japan which, let’s face it, nobody in the stands has much interest in.

However, it simply would not be allowed to happen – unless behind closed doors – due to the various issues that would arise, not least a player injuring one of his teammates.

Garner may have additional string to his England bow

The English press were unanimous in their praise for Garner, who really did take his opportunity well against Uruguay.

What was interesting in that game is that Garner was given set-piece duties while on the field, which was considered a compliment from Tuchel.

Tuchel talked up the importance of set-plays in modern football ahead of that game, so the fact he trusted Garner with them says a lot.

That is very much another string to Garner’s bow, so to speak, and will only aid him when it comes to Tuchel naming his line-ups in at the World Cup.

On the basis of the Uruguay game, Garner has to be in the squad at the very least. Beyond then, he will have to maintain his form at club level to show he is deserving of then starting matches.