Everton have serious talent on their hands as loan manager speaks out
Everton’s summer transfer window was one of significant incomings and few outgoings.
The Toffees spent over £100million on acquiring new players as the pressure of PSR restrictions was lifted ahead of the 2025-26 season.
But in the outgoings column was young midfielder Harrison Armstrong, who has impressed many at the tender age of 18.
The midfielder made a season-long loan move to Preston North End at the end of August, and his manager, Paul Heckingbottom, has given his thoughts on the young star.
Paul Heckingbottom sets high expectations for Harrison Armstrong
Armstrong suffered an injury on his full debut for Preston, but he still managed to register 80 minutes for Heckingbottom’s side.
North End drew 2-2 in their match on Humberside, but the Everton loanee was a presence in both halves of the pitch and demonstrated his skill as a box-to-box midfielder.
The Liverpool Echo interviewed Heckingbottom about the 18-year-old, and he expects the loanee to be a key player in his side this season.
He said: “He’s a driven lad, he puts expectation on himself.
“We know what he can do, and seeing what he could do even with Everton’s first team this season, we’ve got an expectation of him as well, and I was really pleased that we could get him.
“I think he’ll be a really, really good player for us this season.”
Armstrong has been with Everton’s academy since 2012 and has made six senior appearances for the Toffees.
The midfielder went on loan to Derby County last season, where he became a valuable member of the team that secured their Championship status with a 19th-place finish.
Harrison Armstrong is destined for greatness
David Moyes opted to start Armstrong against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup.
In a match where Everton could only muster two goals against their League One opponents, the 18-year-old was a major talking point as he provided both assists for the Toffees.
| Touches | 41 |
| Pass accuracy | 92% |
| Intereptions | 2 |
| Tackles | 2 |
Armstrong’s performance against Hull highlighted his skill as a box-to-box player and his potential to become the cornerstone of any football team.
Young players tend to have sides to their game that are raw and unharnessed, whereas Everton loanee brings an air of calmness to his game that keeps a side ticking along.
Everton will be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ahead of their game against Crystal Palace, and while they were right to send Armstrong on loan to Preston, Moyes could have easily started the 18-year-old on Sunday as he seems to get better and better each game.
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