2025/26 James Garner

[Neiler]

No players get guarantees, thats why I said about his confidence. if he's not getting the feeling that he is a big part of the project, why sign..
Plenty of clubs will jump at him.

Paulinha turned us down, he will again if spurs take advantage of his signing.

I agree with most things you say, but your looking to far into the future and ignoring the now.

Garner has been taken for granted for so long now that it always comes down to either moving him to RB or having to look into the future to justify why he isnt good enough.

Other than Pickford, Branthwaite, Illy and KDH.
Why hasn't every other players names been brought up as much.


Lose him out of the team and maybe people will finally wake up to his importance, or maybe not..

I honestly don’t think he starts for the clubs you mention mate Villa, Utd or Newcastle, they might sign him for sure given his contract situation, on a free and he would play the role of a squad utility also.

I don’t expect to sign Paulinha, but I expect similar interest in players of that calibre going forward and I feel that’s ok, if we have ambition to improve. It’s a moot point right now because obviously the window is shut and I wouldn’t expect movement in midfield until the summer, but I don’t expect us to build with Garner as a mainstay in central midfield in the medium to long term.

I don’t think anyone is saying he’s a bad player but I feel people will him to be better then he is. He’s fine, he’s not exceptional and certainly don’t think that we couldn’t recruit someone more capable in time.

If we are to compete we should be already planning for the transfer window in 2028 now, you should squad plan over a three year period in terms of planning and foresight - so you always need to look ahead.

I’m not holding an all or nothing view on Garner, if he gets injured at the weekend, we miss him hugely - right now. He’s a great sqaud option and long term I want him in the our squad, he’s a god honest pro. But is he the central midfielder to lead the club for the next decade, or even the next three season after this. No. In my opinion.

He will be a great utility squad option in my opinion.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

This thread is confusing me. The Garner I have seen this season has been very good. He has clearly improved and if he maintains this form, we should be looking to cement him and KDH for the next few years, surely? The question then is, who else plays in that midfield.

 

[Swartzy]

If your looking at 2028 now, than your more than likely going to blow up before you get there. The next window is the most important and always will be..

Villa, Utd, Newcastle are leaps above us in pulling power at the moment.

We couldn't even attract Luiz who is now riding the relegation zone.

 

[PeregrineT]

Im not sure how anyone thinks we shouldnt extend him, but then again Ive heard that kind of stuff every year.

When he was here we remember what was said about Lukaku by a minority, but disappointing large minority, of fans.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

Im not sure how anyone thinks we shouldnt extend him, but then again Ive heard that kind of stuff every year.

When he was here we remember what was said about Lukaku by a minority, but disappointing large minority, of fans.

Even if you lean into doubters logic, going to be hard to find increased quality willing to sign for Everton at this time. Reckon he is essential player able to cover several posistions more than adequately. An athlete is an understatement to his fitness too.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Has anyone stopped to think,Maybe he doesn't want to play RB?

He's a central midfielder who'll more than likely want to play centre midfield.

 

[kenada_blue]

Has anyone stopped to think,Maybe he doesn't want to play RB?

He's a central midfielder who'll more than likely want to play centre midfield.

Exactly.

Just because the club flopped in buying adequate full backs for the past few years, doesn't mean our most consistent midfielder should now be a right back.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Exactly.

Just because the club flopped in buying adequate full backs for the past few years, doesn't mean our most consistent midfielder should now be a right back.

Quite.

 

[Paul Rideout]

Has anyone stopped to think,Maybe he doesn't want to play RB?

He's a central midfielder who'll more than likely want to play centre midfield.

so it’s possible he’s waiting to see our Jan window activity before committing to a new deal, because he doesn’t want to play RB?!?

Unlikely, but possible… PULL YOUR FINGER OUT MOYES AND BUY THAT RB WE’VE NEEDED FOR THE LAST FOUR SEASONS.

 

[Groucho]

I'm not sure why some people have convinced themselves that he won't sign on or that he isn't a valued member of the squad.

Reading things that aren't there in my opinion.

 

[Lanolin]

Im not sure how anyone thinks we shouldnt extend him, but then again Ive heard that kind of stuff every year.

When he was here we remember what was said about Lukaku by a minority, but disappointing large minority, of fans.

I'm not sure i've seen anyone say we shouldn't extend the contract. There is a completely different - and totally rational - point being made by some about how they hope we're not giving him a blockbuster new contract of the type we would give to a major new signing or a player like Branthwaite, because they aren't convinced he's of that level and feel like it may turn into a millstone if we're looking to progress, but I don't think anyone's saying they'd rather we let him go on a free.

 

[Neiler]

If your looking at 2028 now, than your more than likely going to blow up before you get there. The next window is the most important and always will be..

Villa, Utd, Newcastle are leaps above us in pulling power at the moment.

We couldn't even attract Luiz who is now riding the relegation zone.

Three years is a minimum mate, likes of City and Chelsea are doing 5 +.

Perhaps those teams are more attractive then us at present, but id suggest with a new stadium and new owners we should have ambition to compete. Part of that will be down to trying to get the best players as possible.

Take Newcastle, Joe Willock was one of their best players when they were taken over, they could have easily just said Joe is fine, lets roll with him and not have pushed up the table. They didn't they went and got Bruno Guimares from the French league and they had a worse profile then us at the time and hes been a real catalyst for them and raised all ships with quality and they didnt even stop there in central midfield - thats our competition if we have ambition.

I dont think its beyond the realms of impossibility that we do something similar or have ambition to.

Essentially what i am saying is Garner is fine, he has a role to play now and in the future, do i think we could recruit better, i do, do i think we should - yes i probably do and feel we will.

There are clear areas we can improve the quality in the team in my opinion, full back, central midfield, pace out wide and up front. I wouldn't shy away from looking to recruit better then what we have. As of today i wouldn't look at Garners role in the team and say im satisfied with that level of quality for the next what 5-8 years in that position. That's not saying i dont like Garner or think he's useful in the squad, i just wouldn't build the house with him as a corner stone long term.

Im all on for as much quality and squad options as we can get.

 

[ChesterBlue]

I'm not sure why some people have convinced themselves that he won't sign on or that he isn't a valued member of the squad.

Reading things that aren't there in my opinion.

Given Pickford and Branthwaite were happy to sign for us, I see no reason Garner wouldn’t want to

 

[Groucho]

Given Pickford and Branthwaite were happy to sign for us, I see no reason Garner wouldn’t want to

Exactly. Anyone convincing themselves otherwise should hand their lanyard into Judith on the way out, they're off the project.

 

[ChesterBlue]

Exactly. Anyone convincing themselves otherwise should hand their lanyard into Judith on the way out, they're off the project.

Especially given that he’s playing every game as a starter, usually in his best position in midfield, and is developing well here. I don’t see any logical reason he would want out