It would not be a stretch to call James Garner Everton’s best player of the season so far.
Everton offered Garner a new contract last month, with his previous deal set to expire this summer.
Garner’s substantial improvement since last season is clear, with some Toffees supporters now valuing him as a £75 million player.
In fact, it has been such an impressive rise that reports suggest England manager Thomas Tuchel has been keeping tabs on him ahead of the World Cup in America.
Now, there is another stat doing the rounds that paints a clear picture of just how impactful the former Manchester United midfielder has become this season.
James Garner leads a key Premier League category this season
Garner has not missed a minute of league action this season, starting every game and coming off just once.
He also leads the league in combined tackles and interceptions, with an impressive total of 116.
Chelsea’s £115m signing Moises Caicedo is second on that list, sitting on 106.
It is not just his work in possession that stands out. Garner has also become one of the league’s most effective defensive midfielders.
This is exactly why Tuchel should be giving him serious thought for an England call-up next month.
David Moyes credits James Garner for Everton’s shift in style
Earlier in the season, Moyes spoke about how Garner has played a key role in moving Everton away from a counter-attacking approach and towards a more possession-based game.
The Scotsman said: “He’s made us a much better footballing team; he’s made us much more careful in how we build and how we play.
“He’s made such a difference to the team. He’s made us more creative and, sort of, cultured in the way we play.
“He might be going under the radar a wee bit – he’s playing so well. He does the work; he covers big distances for us. He’s an intelligent boy, as well. He wants the team to do well, and he’s certainly helped us play better.”
Jamie Carragher has also spoken highly of Garner this season, so it seems people outside Everton are starting to take notice as well.
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