James Garner says his £2m Everton teammate is a ‘real leader’ who he absolutely loves sharing the pitch with

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Everton want a successful first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and for that to happen it will be important for the leaders of the group to really step up.

Hopes are high ahead of the 2025/26 campaign after David Moyes came in last January and did a terrific job in the second half of 2024/25.

But Moyes knows there’s a lot more work to be done to ensure he has a chance to kick on with the group.

Currently, Everton need at least four or five more new signings, having brought in Thierno Barry and Mark Travers, as well as turning Carlos Alcaraz’s loan move permanent.

Moyes thinks European football could be achievable this season, but it won’t be unless The Friedkin Group deliver in the transfer market.

But once all these new players come in, they’ll need bedding in.

And it will be on the leaders of the group to knit everything together. And James Garner has been talking up one who nearly left the club recently.

James Garner lauds Everton ‘leader’ Idrissa Gana Gueye

Idrissa Gana Gueye extended his contract recently to ensure he is staying at Everton for at least one more season.

The Senegalese enforcer penned a one-year deal and has the option for a further year. Initially there had been a delay over the proposed contract length for Gueye and some were genuinely worried an agreement wasn’t going to be reached and he was going to depart.

News of Gueye’s contract extension at Everton delighted fans, as he has been such a brilliant and consistent performer since re-signing for the club for around £2 million in 2022 (BBC Sport).

And it isn’t just fans who are buzzing he’s staying.

James Garner spoke about his fellow midfielder in a new video on the official Everton YouTube channel.

He told Leon Osman: “I touched on this the other day. I feel like he’s getting better with age. He’s not slowing down!

“To have someone like that who’s always covering your backside and he’s there, and he’s a real leader. He’s been at the highest level possible with some of the best teams in the world and played at the highest level.

“To have someone like that next to you is a good feeling when you step out.”

Garner was asked about Gueye’s leadership style, and said that he is not someone who is loud, like James Tarkowski and Seamus Coleman.

Gueye, he says, is not quiet but more softly spoken. He will pass instructions to teammates, and get his arm around people if needs be.

Gueye will be vital for David Moyes at Everton this season

It was fantastic news when Everton managed to keep hold of Gueye for at least one more season.

Moyes is thought to want to rely less on Gueye in 2025/26, which is understandable because even though he’s still extremely fit, it’s important to not overplay someone who’s coming into their late thirties.

But while Gueye may feature a little less than he did last season, he’ll still be vital for this squad.

The enthusiasm with which Garner spoke about his teammate was telling.

He knows that what he brings in terms of energy and experience is priceless, so undoubtedly he’ll show why it was so important to keep him around.