James Tarkowski lauds James Garner, says the midfielder “has got everything” | OneFootball

James Garner has been outstanding for Everton so far this season, impressing in a variety of positions and stepping up to shoulder responsibility.

He has started every single game for the Blues and besides keeping things ticking from midfield, has also been deployed at left-back and right-back when needed. Everton vice-captain James Tarkowski, reflecting on the first half of the season, heaped praise on Garner.

“Oh, he’s been outstanding. I mean, we all knew how good Jimmy was since the moment he signed here,” said Tarkowski.

“He’s had a couple of setbacks with longer-term injuries when he’s missed probably two, three months of football.

“But now you’re seeing him week in, week out and how good he is. And you can put him anywhere.

“He can literally play any position on the pitch, and he’d play out of his skin. He’s physically really good, technically outstanding, makes great decisions, affects the game going forward and also defensively. He’s got everything, so we’re lucky to have him.”

Garner has three goal contributions in 17 league matches and has created five big chances. The 24-year-old records 1.4 interceptions, 2.2 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game, winning 58% of his aerial and 59% of his ground duels. He also averages 4.4 ball recoveries per 90 and has been backed by David Moyes to break into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad sooner rather than later.

The Toffees are also looking to secure a new deal for the Birkenhead-born, who’s entering the final six months of his contract. David Moyes also recently added that "the club will do everything to make sure he stays."

Reader Comments (13)

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Peter Mills 2 Posted 25/12/2025 at 21:09:43

He reminds me of Kevin Richardson.

Eric Myles 3 Posted 26/12/2025 at 03:50:00

Get him signed up.

He's a pretty good player but let's not start going overboard again with the "he's got everything".

He's supposed to be a fantastic set piece taker but three years on I am yet to see it.

For me in recent years I've seen Everton players hit home many freekicks and take good corners, Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta instantly spring to mind but I can't put Jimmy Garner in that same category.

Does he score enough goals? I think you'd have to say no to that one too.

He's a good player at keeping the game flowing relatively well, a good passer of the ball yes.

I dare say at Everton however it's been that long really since we've seen an absolute ultimate midfielder that can do everything, that maybe we have forgotten what that actually looks like.

Paul Murray 5 Posted 26/12/2025 at 08:01:15

Agree with that Jim. First of all we all love Jimmy he’s a great pro and definitely we need to get him signed up the guy can play everywhere maybe put him up front ha ha joking of course but wouldn’t do any worse than them two. But seriously I see Jimmy as a right back who can get foward with some quality on the ball he’s definitely not a got everything midfielder but like I say he’s been great this season mr reliable. Hayden Hackney is the got everything midfielder we need out of contract end of the season too 15 million would get him now probably snooze and you loose.

Jim Bennings 6 Posted 26/12/2025 at 08:49:48

Paul

I probably feel the same way about a long term right back now, or at least until we can get a right back there with the pace and mobility to overlap, our of what we've played there this season I think Garner is our best option.

I think the O'Brien project has run it's course now and the sooner that Jake is moved to central defence the better for us.

I can't believe the club have let him get to the last 6 months of his contract. He is our best midfielder by some distance.

His agent now holds all of the cards, don't be surprised if he leaves for nothing in the summer.

Jim, Everyone has flaws in their game. A holding centre mid isn't going to score 10 goals a season. Our system is built around whoever is playing attacking centre mid. When was the last time we had a complete centre mid?

Peter, I think the same, he looks a bit like Richardson.

Peter @2

I was a big fan of "Sandy" Richardson, but I would go one further. I think Jimmy Garner is a better player.

We have talked about the lack of goals and creativity in our teams down the years, but the lack of footballing brains has been equally crippling. I think Garner brings that.

He see's danger in his own half and opportunity in the oppositions.

My player of the season thus far. He wouldnt have gotten into the eighties team either but, if we can find a couple more players with his level of intelligence in the next 2-3 windows, we would be in business.

I can’t believe we fuck about trying to secure the services of has-beens like Gueye, Coleman and Tarkowski. Get Garner tied up, for fuck's sake. Now would be a good time.

Peter(2) and Bill (7),

I thought that Richardson never got the credit he deserved at Everton, along with Alan Harper. I thought they were too versatile for their own good.

Maybe that versatility will be a handicap in the future for James Garner — he's a very good centre-midfield player who gets used at full-back because we haven't got a good one on the books, right or left.

Kevin Richardson went on to prove his worth with Arsenal, winning a championship medal with them. He helped to give us Evertonians a great night when he played in that Arsenal team at Anfield when they won the title with that last-minute goal.

As for having a midfielder who has everything, well you might have to rule Colin Harvey out, if you didn't know a great deal about football, because of his lack of goals — was it 18 league goals in over 350 games?And his left foot wasn't that great; same could be said for Paul Bracewell.