James Garner believes his decision to leave Manchester United for Everton was the turning point in his career after earning a late call-up to the England squad.
The 25-year-old midfielder was initially left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad but was brought in after injuries forced Declan Rice and other players to withdraw. Garner had been in Turkey on holiday when he received the call telling him to return.
The Everton player has now established himself as a senior international after a strong period at Goodison Park, having made his England debut against Uruguay in March.
Garner believes that opportunity may never have arrived had he remained at Old Trafford.
“I think it was the perfect thing for me to do,” he said.
“I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. When I left they signed three or four midfielders, world class ones. Had I stayed I wouldn’t have been where I am today so I am more than happy that I did.”
Garner came through United's academy and spent loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest before leaving permanently for Everton in 2022. His move came after he had struggled to establish a first-team pathway at his boyhood club.
He made only two Premier League appearances for United, although he also featured in the Europa League. Everton eventually provided the regular first-team football he had been seeking.
“I've never been shy of going into a more uncomfortable place,” Garner said.
“I went on loan three times. I went to Watford and then twice to Nottingham.”
“So I wasn't worried about moving at all, changing scenery or anything that.”
“For me, it was just about playing games and Everton was the perfect choice at that point.”
“I didn’t just want to fizzle into the background and just sit on the bench and stuff like that. I wanted to go into a team where I felt like I had a chance to fight for my position and that's what I have done in the past three or four years.”
Garner's development has also involved a change of position. He began his career as a centre-back before moving into midfield and has since demonstrated his versatility by also playing at right-back and left-back.
That adaptability has appealed to Tuchel, who has compared him with Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
“Yeah, it’s a good comparison to have because in my opinion he’s one of the best midfielders in the world,” Garner said.
“There’s probably a little bit of similarity in terms of he plays in different positions too.”
Garner has no regrets about leaving United and now has another chance to establish himself with England. His late call-up arrived after he had barely reached his hotel in Bodrum, forcing him to cut short his holiday and return to England the following day.
The midfielder's route back to the international stage has therefore followed the same principle that shaped his club career: regular football first, then the opportunity to test himself at the highest level.