AliousEverton’s ongoing fullback crisis is causing significant imbalance in their team and hindering James Garner’s development. The issue was highlighted again during their recent goalless draw against Newcastle United on October 5th, where Sean Dyche’s side managed to secure their fifth point of the season.
Due to injuries to Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman, and Vitaliy Mykolenko, Dyche was forced to play James Garner, a natural central midfielder, at right-back, while Ashley Young covered the left-back position. Although Garner performed admirably, contributing to a respectable result for the Toffees, this makeshift solution is far from ideal.
The club’s failure to adequately address their long-standing defensive injury problems during the summer transfer window could have multiple negative consequences. While Dyche praised Garner’s performance, noting his energy and adaptability, it’s clear that this arrangement is not sustainable.
Garner’s talents are being underutilized in the fullback position. At 23 years old, he has significant potential to develop into a solid Premier League midfielder, but this growth is being stunted by his deployment in defense. The situation is exacerbated by Everton’s thin squad, which can ill afford to lose a midfield presence.
The issue extends beyond just Garner. With Ashley Young as the only consistent presence in the back line, Everton’s defense lacks stability. This problem needs to be addressed urgently, ideally through the acquisition of a dedicated fullback in the January transfer window.
Continuing to use Garner as a defensive option not only limits his individual development but also weakens Everton’s midfield. For a team with limited squad depth, this compromise could prove costly in the long run. To fully capitalize on Garner’s potential and maintain a balanced team structure, Everton must find a way to return him to his natural midfield role consistently.
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