The Premier League’s November air is thick with speculation, shifting fortunes, and the ever-present hum of transfer rumors. As the international break settles in, clubs across England’s top tiers are wrestling with more than just points on the table. From Everton’s midfield conundrum to Liverpool’s tactical evolution, West Ham’s selection drama, and Portsmouth’s budget battles, the landscape is as dynamic as ever.
Everton’s faithful have been riding a rollercoaster this season, and the latest twist comes in the form of James Garner’s future. The versatile midfielder, who’s been a linchpin for the Toffees, is now at the center of transfer speculation linking him to Newcastle United. Garner, who notably netted the second goal in the Hill Dickinson Stadium’s Premier League debut against Brighton, has been praised for his adaptability—slotting in at both right-back and central midfield. David Moyes, never one to mince words, lauded Garner’s performances and even touted him for an England call-up, stating, “He’s been one of the bright sparks this season.”
But with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, interest in Garner is ramping up. Newcastle, ever vigilant, have reportedly dispatched scouts to monitor his progress, according to sports journalist Pete O’Rourke. Everton are scrambling to secure his services with a new deal, but the uncertainty lingers—will Garner remain on Merseyside, or is a move to Tyneside in the cards?
Should Garner make the switch, Everton’s transfer strategy could pivot quickly. The club’s previous pursuit of Jacob Ramsey, who left Aston Villa for Newcastle in a £43 million move during the summer window, might be reignited. Ramsey’s time at St. James’ Park has been far from smooth. An ankle injury and fierce competition from Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton have limited him to just five appearances this campaign, with a solitary start in Newcastle’s recent 3-1 defeat to Brentford. The emergence of young Lewis Miley could further squeeze Ramsey’s opportunities, making a loan move to Everton a tantalizing prospect for both player and club.
The numbers tell their own story: Ramsey’s minutes have been sporadic—14 against Liverpool, 45 against Leeds and West Ham, 20 against Brighton, and 66 at Brentford. Despite his hefty price tag, he’s yet to taste victory in Newcastle colors. Everton, hungry for a creative number eight or ten, see Ramsey as an ideal fit, especially with Charly Alcaraz waiting in the wings and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall currently shouldering much of the creative burden.
Meanwhile, up the M62, Liverpool’s own midfield narrative is taking shape under the guidance of Arne Slot. While Jamie Carragher has called Dominik Szoboszlai the Reds’ player of the season, former goalkeeper David James is singing the praises of Ryan Gravenberch. James told LiverpoolWorld, “Typically a very good midfielder, the ball comes in, they take a touch and they will take another touch to get out of a sticky situation. Whereas Ryan just seems to control and move the ball all in one movement, and it’s just beautiful to watch. When he is on his game as he was against Real Madrid, you just can’t get the ball off him.”
Gravenberch’s influence has grown under Slot, transforming from a rotational option under Jurgen Klopp to a mainstay in the middle three. He’s already delivered two goals and two assists in the league, with a standout showing in the Merseyside derby—scoring and assisting against Everton. James believes the Dutchman’s technical brilliance and Slot’s tactical tweaks are key to Liverpool’s hopes: “If Arne can keep him playing at that level, then that is going to be the catalyst and the foundation for Liverpool to be successful because I think he is exceptional.” It’s a testament to Slot’s coaching acumen that Gravenberch, once inconsistent, is now a potential lynchpin for Liverpool’s future ambitions.
Not every Premier League star, however, is basking in such security. James Ward-Prowse’s journey at West Ham has hit a wall. After arriving from Southampton for £30 million in August 2023, Ward-Prowse found himself loaned to Nottingham Forest last season, only to struggle for minutes under Nuno Espirito Santo. Recalled in January, he found favor under Graham Potter, starting the first five league matches of the current campaign. But Potter’s sacking and Nuno’s return spelled trouble—the 31-year-old hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since.
Nuno addressed the situation candidly in September: “It’s a tough decision but I make decisions looking to the best options for the game. James is not involved, we had a chat, I think he understands it.” With a January exit looming, Ward-Prowse can draw inspiration from another ex-Hammer, David James. The former England goalkeeper recounted his own tense departure from West Ham in 2004, telling London World, “Alan Pardew was the manager. I can’t say we disliked each other but it wasn’t like we were friends, if that makes sense… It just didn’t feel like everything was right between me and maybe the management or the club. Man City had asked if I’d be interested in going up there, so I was given that opportunity.”
James’s move to Manchester City revitalized his career, leading to successful stints at Portsmouth, Bristol City, and AFC Bournemouth. Ward-Prowse, facing a crossroads, may yet find a similar resurgence if he embraces a change of scenery in the January window.
Outside the Premier League spotlight, Portsmouth are fighting their own battles in the Championship. The club’s recent form has been grim—just one win in eleven league matches before the break, leaving them four points above the drop zone in 20th. Yet, David James, a Fratton Park hero and FA Cup winner, remains upbeat about his former side’s prospects. Speaking to portsmouth.co.uk, James said, “Yes, they can. I mean, without stating the obvious, you just have to win the games. I mean, the reality is the players are there, I would argue the players are already in the squad. It’s just keeping the motivation in the squad right.”
James highlighted the unique challenges of the Championship, where ambition and distraction often collide: “The problem with football, and especially in the Championship, I think more so the Championship than any other division… There’s a lot of players in the Championship who think they should be in the Premier League. And the very nature of that league, I think, is so different to any other.”
Despite budget constraints and a crowded transfer market, James believes morale and trust in the process can steer Portsmouth toward safety—or even a playoff push. “To get things right now would definitely give Portsmouth a chance to get into those play-offs,” he said, pointing to the unpredictable nature of the division and the potential for a late-season surge.
As the international break provides a brief respite, the futures of Garner, Ramsey, Ward-Prowse, and clubs like Portsmouth hang in the balance. With transfer windows looming and managers making tough calls, the next few months promise plenty of intrigue and, for some, the chance to write a new chapter in their footballing stories.
