James Garner embraces ‘natural’ leadership step at Everton after award-winning season | OneFootball

James Garner has said it feels a ‘natural’ progression to step up and takes up a leadership role at Everton this season.

Garner has cemented himself as an integral figure under David Moyes after a career-best campaign in 2025/26. The midfielder was named Everton Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season during a year which also led to an England debut.

Garner told evertonfc.com that he now feels ready to become a leader in the squad. After four seasons with the club, Garner said it feels natural to step into a leadership role following the exits of senior names including Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye.

“Yeah, I think it comes a little bit more natural to me anyway. The first few years were tough for me,” Garner said.

“I had two serious injuries and I was a young lad coming into such a senior group with Seamus and Tarky and all these type of lads.

“But now a couple of the senior lads have now moved on, and I feel like it’s only natural now for me to step up and lead.”

Garner also discussed the closeness of the dressing room after a positive start to the campaign. He said the club’s small squad has brought together the group.

“Exactly that, yeah. I think you can look at it in whatever way you want, really, but for us as players and staff, we’ve looked at it in terms of we’re all in this together and we’ve got a lot of quality.

“So, there’s no reason why we can’t just keep on pushing and have a good season.”