James Garner's holiday in Bodrum, Turkey, was cut short less than 24 hours after he arrived, following a late England call-up from Thomas Tuchel. The Everton midfielder had just checked into his hotel room when he received the news, forcing him to return the next day.
Garner's brief break in Bodrum
Garner, 25, had planned a break with his partner but barely had time to settle before heading back. "I had just arrived so it was a very short holiday," he said. "I came back the day after. I got to my hotel room at half twelve at night, which is what, half ten here, and I left the next day. I slept, had the morning in the sun and left."
He is now attempting to secure a refund for the curtailed trip. When asked if he had recreated Morgan Gibbs-White's social media video of departing his own holiday, Garner smiled: "No. That's not me."
Road to England contention
Garner earned his first England call-up in March, made a positive impression on Tuchel, but narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup squad. He was also left out of the original Nations League squad but seized the opportunity when late withdrawals opened a spot.
Reflecting on his decision to leave Manchester United, where he came through the academy, Garner 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 left."
He added: "I think it was the perfect thing for me to do. I've never been shy of going into a more uncomfortable place. I went on loan three times, I went to Watford and then twice to Nottingham, so I moved early and moved down to London and to Nottingham, so I wasn't worried about moving at all, changing scenery or anything that."
Tuchel comparison and nickname
Garner impressed in March against Uruguay, when Tuchel likened him to a "mini Valverde", comparing him with Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. Garner welcomed the comparison, saying: "Yeah, it's a good comparison to have because in my opinion he's one of the best midfielders in the world. To be compared to him is a very good comparison."
He also addressed his nickname, Jimmy, which came from his Manchester United days. "Because my name is James, isn't it. It's a nickname really. My mum and dad call me James, and that's what it says on my birth certificate. James," he said. "But because I moved to Manchester so early, the lads just kind of gave me the name of Jimmy and it just stuck. There are a lot of Jameses, so if there are two Jameses, I'll go with Jimmy. That's fine."
