Cole Palmer has named Everton midfielder James Garner as his toughest opponent this season.
Everton earned their first real scalp at the Hill Dickinson Stadium back in April with a convincing victory over Chelsea.
On the back of an exceptional season, Garner will be hoping to team up with Palmer in the England squad for the World Cup in the summer.
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Thomas Tuchel called him up to the latest squad and the Everton midfielder has now received some considerable praise from Palmer ahead of next week’s selection.
Cole Palmer says Everton’s James Garner has been his toughest opponent
Tuchel was mightily impressed with Garner following his England debut back in March against Uruguay.
It has been a real breakthrough season for the 25-year-old, with the midfielder clearly making an impression on those around the league.
“You know what? Probably James Garner. You know, he’s just on my toes like yeah,” Palmer told Sky Sports.
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“I think the manager tells him like to stay on me. So, like that’s why he’s so hard because he’s always just like constantly on me. I remember we played him at Stamford Bridge and he swapped for 5 minutes.
“Like I think it was by accident him and someone else and I ran off the back of someone and scored and then a little time and he was fuming. I saw him at England and I said, “This is what happens.”
Garner is currently leading the Player of the Season vote over on TalkingPoints, with just a week to get your final votes in.
The Englishman has nailed down the spot in midfield under David Moyes having started every single game in the Premier League this season.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers praised Everton for securing Garner’s new contract at a time when his stock was rising considerably.
It is certainly a decision that Everton were right to make, otherwise they could have invited interest from other clubs ahead of the summer.
After the season Garner has had on Merseyside, everyone at the club will have their fingers crossed that he receives the phone call from Tuchel.
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