Another key element to Everton’s resilience on the road has been the outstanding form of individual players such as Pickford, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, but Osman believes that James Garner deserves particular praise.
The 24-year-old has played at right-back and left-back this season but has shone in recent matches in his preferred central midfield role.
Garner comfortably tops the Toffees’ metrics this season for everything from touches and tackles, to chances created and expected assists.
“Garner is a throwback, and a very pleasant one, to an all-round midfielder,” said Osman, who made 437 appearances for the club in midfield between 2003 and 2016.
“He wants to defend, wants to be competitive, wants to get from box to box, wants to create goals. I am such an admirer of his.
“He sets the tone for Everton in and out of possession. He’s one of the first names, if not the first name on David Moyes’ team sheet.”
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