James Garner makes Everton new stadium admission and Dominic Calvert-Lewin prediction
James Garner has been speaking about Everton's new stadium, which will be one of the grounds using during Euro 2028, and the importance of his Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton midfielder James Garner would love the chance to play for England at Bramley-Moore Dock during Euro 2028.
UEFA confirmed on Tuesday morning that the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship. The joint bid ran unopposed after Turkey withdrew to focus on a bid with Italy for Euro 2032.
Matches at Euro 2028 are set to be held at 10 different grounds, including Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The building of the Blues’ new home is well underway and is set to be completed in late 2024.
“It’s not something I’ve thought about, but I’d of course love to be involved,” Garner said when asked about playing at the new ground.
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“I’m more focused on club football right now. If it comes, it comes, but I’ve just got to keep doing my business at this club."
Garner is no stranger to representing his country. He was a member of Lee Carsley's victorious European Under-21 Championship-winning squad in the summer.
Former Everton midfielder Carsley masterminded the country's first win in the competition since 1984 with his Young Lions lifting the trophy without conceding a goal.
However, as Carsley prepares for the latest round of international fixtures, he does so with just seven of his Championship winners. The likes of Anthony Gordon, Morgan Gibbs-White, Emile Smith-Rowe and Jacob Ramsey are no longer eligible for the Under-21s.
And Garner, who played right-back during the European Under-21 Championship, is another player who is no longer able to play for Carsley's side due to his age. But the Everton man believes a route can be forged into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad, although he admits they are arguably the best team in the world at the moment.
He said: “Yeah, I feel like there is a pathway there, especially for our generation, which has just come through. A lot of us are playing in the Premier League now and showing what we can do. Time is on our side; we just need to stay patient because we’re all good enough.
“It’s tough at the minute because I’d say England are the best side in the world on paper."
Asked about his plans for the international break, Garner replied: “Training for a few days, then a few days off to relax and recover."
Garner picked the perfect time to score his first Premier League goal for Everton as he broke the deadlock in Saturday's 3-0 win over Bournemouth. The midfielder and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the best two players on the pitch as Sean Dyche's side finally picked up all three points on home soil this season.
“We missed him last season, and it’s a huge confidence boost having him back in the side,” Garner said when asked about Calvert-Lewin. “He didn’t get his goal, but his all-round performance helped us. I was just speaking to him then.
“He was gutted he didn’t get his goal and gutted he came off because he said he was maybe trying a bit too hard to score. His goals will come. If he keeps on performing, then I think they’ll fly in."