James Garner is in the form of his life at Everton and it has been claimed Manchester United sold a midfielder who boasts ‘a lot of similarities’ with Old Trafford icon Michael Carrick.
If anything summed up the confidence coursing through James Garner’s veins right now, it was a moment which occurred just eight minutes into Everton’s 3-0 hammering of Bournemouth before the international break.
Garner found himself baring down on goal, team-mates either side waiting for the pass. But, boosted by a goal and an assist in his previous three appearances, the England U21 international only had one thought in his mind, driving to the edge of the Bournemouth box before slotting home stylishly.
It had taken the Manchester United academy graduate one year and 25 games to open his account for the Toffees. Then, typically, a second would arrive just ten days later.
“He was always highly regarded (at Manchester United). But he kept under the radar, partly because of his background and partly because of himself,” Eamon Mulvey, who works as an academy programme advisor at Old Trafford, tells The Athletic.
“You maybe didn’t hear about him as much as other potential superstars, but he is a superstar.”
‘Superstar’ may be pushing it a bit but, signed by Everton in a £15 million deal after helping end Nottingham Forest’s two-decade-long exile from England’s top flight, Garner is certainly developing into a solid, proven Premier League operator, whether out wide or in his favoured string-puller role.
Mulvey, meanwhile, sees plenty in common between Garner and a player Manchester United are arguably yet to replace since he hung up his boots five years ago.
‘That’s the potential he’s got’
“When he first came in, he was gangly and competitive. Then he started to develop control of his body better. His passing range was really good and he was calm on the ball. In tight areas, he started to show really good ability,” Mulvey adds.
“He had great attributes as a footballer and as a potential leader. We’d allow them to problem solve and his decision-making and understanding were excellent.
With his passing ability and the way his body is now, he’s more effective dominating play in midfield. Michael Carrick was around the first team at the time and a lot of people made comparisons.”
“He’s got a long way to go yet, but that’s the potential he’s got. There are a lot of similarities in the way Michael used to break the game up and be a good passer. He had an amazing career and hopefully Jimmy does the same.
“The world is his oyster, really.”
