Everton manager Sean Dyche has now said that James Garner will play in midfield going forwards.
However, the Toffees’ boss was quick to say that the £15m midfielder’s switch to central midfield was a ‘longer term’ project.
Garner’s versatility has seen him played in a number of positions since his move from Manchester United last summer, including right-back and more recently right-wing.
However, the 22-year-old is considered more of a central midfielder and has shown what an asset he can be when played inside, such as Everton’s 2-1 win at Villa Park where Garner grabbed himself his first Everton goal.
Dyche favors a midfield three of Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gana Gueye, and the Everton boss states that Garner’s capacity to play out wide gives the Blues ‘more options’.
Indeed, speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth reported via Everton’s official YouTube channel, Dyche spoke of his ‘longer term’ plans for the Birkenhead-born player.
The Everton manager said: “It gives us more options. He has applied himself to anything we have asked of him. I think he can perform from there [out wide].
I see him longer term as being a central midfielder and he sees himself as that His adaptability is a good thing to have as a young player.”
James Garner must get a chance in preferred midfield role for Everton
James Garner is perhaps a victim of his own versatility though his ability to play in multiple positions has no doubt proven useful for the Blues.
However, the £15m midfielder has bags of potential and for him to develop into the player he could be, he will need games in his preferred role sooner rather than later, though based on Dyche’s comments he is likely to continue out wide for now.
Everton are yet to win at home so far this season and have lost four consecutive games at Goodison Park, and the visit of Bournemouth this weekend feels like a must win for the Toffees.
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