James Garner

[Lazarou II]

I wonder what name was on the contract?

Good signing that, been great this season.

[Cozzie]

Our most improved player for sure.

Think he has scope to get better due to age.

Even if he doesn't, this contract should ensure we make a profit on the £15M we paid for him.

This new contract is win win.

[blueToffee]

Potentially could've dragged down the better vibes a bit to have a player run down a contract, although it's a more common tactic these days.

Anyway, such a versatile player and one who has really stepped up this season. Pleased to have it done.

Ndiaye contract bump next would be nice.

[brap2]

Well deserved

[kramer]

Can’t argue with that.

He has the technical ability to be more expansive with his passing, let’s hope his vision and decision-making catch up.

Could access an even higher level if he starts using the ball better from deep.

[biziclop]

How many of these stats were padded by him playing at FB though?

Tackles maybe but if anything, it's a hindrance at interceptions.

[Irishbornevertonian]

Contract signed!

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2026/jan ... -contract/

Great news, glad to see this happen, even though I’ve seen it three hours after posting!


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[Shogun]

Even with my reservations about his quality, I've acknowledged he's had an excellent season and considering Dyche has got Elliott Anderson looking like an average plodder then perhaps I'm doing Garner a disservice based on previous performances.

[TheRam]

Yeah, willing to judge him on this season alone considering how much better a lot of players have looked under someone who actually coaches players.

He’s probably taking Anderson’s place in the team for the World Cup at this rate.

Having a midfielder doing his work off the ball who has that occasional bit of quality to get a goal is valuable so fair play to him.

Always have slight reservations when a player massively improves in the last year of their contract though.

[Audrey Horne]

Yeah so glad he has signed! Good to get it wrapped up.

[Matt1878]

Was just looking at the highest tackles made list and its a mix of FB's and DM's. Top 2 being Palhinha and Ibrain, so I don't think one position necessarily gives more opportunity over the other.

Having that adaptability is a plus, then set piece delivery, penalty taker and 3 goals and 2 assists shows he is contributing progressively too.

If you compare his stats to Rice, who is as good a barometer of what you'd want in that role, he more than matches up this season, so really you cant ask for much more.

Any details on what his wages are on now?

[Free Agent]

Vaguely, “one of the highest earners at the club”

[Matt1878]

Yeah, couldn't find any mention of it.

[Cereal Killer]

Pickford £150k

Branthwaite, Gueye and Tarks £120k

KDH £90k

So probably up there at £100-120k

[brap2]

Don't think you can really argue with it can you based on this year.

The challenge is to grow revenue, not shrink wages. We've cut so much quality from the squad over the last ten years I'm actually a bit baffled that we are still skirting the line on wage/turnover.

Grow revenue, grow wages by adding quality quantity and assets we can sell. We're about 12th for wages as per 23/24, let's see what the squad looks like when we're top 6/7/8 for wages eh