Speak to anyone at Everton and at some point during the conversation James Garner’s name is likely to pop up.
Whether it be Frank Lampard, a member of his coaching staff, a member of his squad, or somebody behind-the-scenes, people at the Goodison Park club just can’t help but mention him.
In many ways, he has become the name on most people’s lips. Praise has been coming in from all quarters.
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The Blues completed the signing of the midfielder on transfer deadline day in a deal that could reach up to £15million. Garner became Everton’s eighth signing of the summer following his move to Goodison Park.
Blues boss Lampard is clearly a big fan. Speaking after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United last month, he opened up on the different attributes Garner can bring to the Blues’ engine room - and admitted he is excited about the future as he could become a 'big player' for his side.
“In different areas, in different ways he can play in all midfield positions centrally. He can play as a number six, as a number eight when he came on or in two sixes,” he explained.
“He's a good player, that's why we bought him. He needed to get fit, when he first got here he wasn't quite fit.
“He looks a bit different to our other midfield players in his attributes; his passing, his delivery of set-pieces and shots he can get away. He is a really clean striker of the ball in a sense of his passing.
“I'm pleased to get him on the pitch. He deserved it in his training and he's going to be a big player for us. There is a lot of uplift in him because he is a young player but I had no doubt, no worries about putting him into a game of his level because it's the reason we brought him to the club.”
Ahead of Tuesday’s drubbing at the hands of Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, the England under-21 international had been limited to appearances off the substitutes bench. But they have been frequent in recent weeks.
There was much excitement around Garner starting at the Vitality Stadium. In many ways, it was what Blues supporters had been waiting for, the chance to see the youngster from the off.
And although his side were made to pay for a below-par display, Garner showed glimpses of what he can offer. Alongside Nathan Patterson, he could come off the pitch with his head held high.
However, the midfielder - who was surprisingly substituted after just 52 minutes - was left shaking his head in shock as he experienced what it is like to be playing in the middle of the pitch for the Blues.
Midway through the first half, Garner picked up the ball, and after dropping the shoulder and moving to the right, he played a pass into the path of Mason Holgate. But the Everton defender was far from alert and the ball rolled out of play for a Bournemouth throw-in, with the youngster asking the question why his team-mate didn’t move into the space.
It was a harsh lesson for the former United man to learn, who, it must be said, deserves praise for stepping out of his comfort zone and making the move to Merseyside, especially knowing that midfield is an area of the pitch in which his boss has plenty of options to choose from.
Speaking to The Times earlier this week, Garner explained that he doesn't want to make up the numbers and is relishing the chance to stake his claim moving forward. His comments were everything Everton supporters will have wanted to hear.
“I don’t want to be just another player who is there for numbers in training. I want to be a main part of the team whether that is a starter or coming off the bench," he said.
Before he added: “I like to win. I would say I am a winner. I hate losing. In terms of attributes, I am a midfielder that can play in all three of the positions - six, eight or ten - whatever the game needs or whatever the manager needs in a specific game.
“I feel like I have good attributes going forward in terms of my deliveries and shots. I need to score more goals which I demand of myself every day in training and I feel I can do the defensive duties as well. I feel like my overall game is ready.
“I don’t want to make any excuses for myself, ‘Oh, I need time to adapt.’ I want to come in now and hit the ground running.
“I have more than 100 appearances. I am not as experienced as some of the lads in the team and I am a young kid in terms of age at 21, but I have played high level games like a play-off final and Europa League games. I feel I can handle the pressure.”
Everton supporters are used to hearing their players talk the talk, but very few actually deliver when it matters most. As Blues supporters have learnt the hard way, talk is cheap.
But if Garner can back up his words with performances, then he will do more than make up the numbers at the club. He will also remain the name on everybody's lips for all the right reasons - something plenty of others before him have failed to do.
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