David Moyes is a beloved figure at Everton, there’s no doubting that, with the Scotsman now back at the helm and guiding the Toffees away from any relegation concerns in the Premier League.
But, away from the here and now, he is also a much-loved presence in the blue half of Merseyside for the plethora of top talents he had at his disposal during his first 11 years at the club.
The likes of Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini are just a few standout names synonymous with the 61-year-old’s celebrated reign at Goodison Park.
Leon Osman is another name who will also instantly fill the Goodison masses with some nostalgia for yesteryear, having made over 400 appearances for the Blues once upon a time.
As it happens, Moyes may already have their new version…
Leon Osman's legendary status at Everton
The now-retired midfield star gained his first minutes in the senior team towards the start of Moyes’ first tenure, with the Scotsman arriving on the scene in 2002, as Osman then tasted his first chance in the senior team in early 2003.
From that point on, Osman went on to solidify himself as a reliable option in the centre of the park, with a hefty total of 58 goals and 36 assists coming his way from 433 overall appearances.
Still, despite regularly firing home sumptuous strikes, it could be argued that Osman is an underrated hero of Goodison’s past, compared with the aforementioned names of Cahill, Pienaar and Fellaini.
Now, in the modern-era of Moyes’ second Goodison tenure, there is a new face who could go on to become the club’s next Osman over time.
David Moyes' next Leon Osman
Indeed, there are definitely other players at this moment in time who are enjoying the limelight, with Beto one that is adoring his sudden spotlight by amassing six Premier League strikes this season, five of which have come under Moyes’ wing.
But, the return of James Garner in the middle of the park from injury has gone slightly under the radar, yet it could be just what the reinvigorated Blues need centrally.
With Orel Mangala also sidelined, the ex-Manchester United man has slotted nicely into his team’s last few starting XIs, with an assist even coming his way against Leicester City during his first start since October to get his injury-disrupted season up and running.
Whilst he hadn’t exactly set the world alight during his first two campaigns at the club – with two goals and four assists picked up – Garner could definitely morph into the Toffees’ next iteration of Osman slowly but surely, with the retired Toffees legend also taking his time to go down as a modern great on Merseyside.
CM
27
1
2
DM
18
1
1
RM
11
0
1
AM
3
0
0
RB
3
0
0
LM
1
0
0
As can be seen looking at the table above, Garner – much like Osman managed during his time at the club – has proven himself to be a reliable utility figure all across the midfield positions at Goodison, with the versatile 23-year-old even capable of playing in defence.
But, Moyes will likely want to use him in the heart of his midfield, knowing he is capable too of mirroring his former great’s goal and assist numbers at the top of his game, having tallied up an impressive 18 goal contributions during a 69-game spell with Nottingham Forest.
Lauded as “phenomenal” off the back of his City Ground exploits by pundit Trevor Sinclair, the £30k-per-week star is perhaps rather underrated – much like Osman – and will now hope he is free of any lingering injury concerns.
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