Harrison Armstrong in troubled waters at Everton after what was seen vs Burnley
Everton’s choice to keep Harrison Armstrong beyond the January window could come back to haunt them.
David Moyes welcomed the young midfielder back to Finch Farm at the start of January, when the Toffees boss was light with options in the middle of the park.
The 19-year-old was impressing while out on loan with Preston North End, and it now seems like the Blues made a knee-jerk reaction to bring him back to Hill Dickinson Stadium early.
Armstrong was getting game time at first, but Everton‘s 2-0 win over Burnley may be just the evidence needed to learn what his playing chances are for the rest of the season.
David Moyes used five subs vs Burnley, not Harrison Armstrong
Everton’s 2-0 win over Burnley was important in more ways than one, despite it shaping up as a must-win game before hand.
The Blues were cruising heading into the final 20 minutes of the contest, two goals to the good thanks to James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
However, despite having the chance to give Armstrong some safe and valuable Premier League minutes, the head coach decided to keep the teenager on the bench.
Moyes’ used substitutes vs Burnley:
- Michael Keane
- Thierno Barry
- Tyrique George
- Tim Iroegbunam
- Tyler Dibling
Had Everton been holding on for the three points, keeping Armstrong on the bench would have been the play to make. But Moyes brought Tim Iroegbunam on, a player who is direct competition to the defensive midfielder.
Not only that, but it’s hard to argue against the fact that Armstrong has a higher ceiling than Iroegbunam, so it’s difficult to understand why Moyes would make such a call, even with mere minutes left in the match.
This is Everton’s missed opportunity with Armstrong
There was talk of Armstrong returning to Preston on loan until the end of the season, and as Moyes was keen for it to happen, likewise Paul Heckingbottom, it’s a mystery as to why a deal wasn’t finalised.
Especially considering just how good the Englishman was playing at Deepdale. Preston’s local media labelled Armstrong “colossal” for a win over Sheffield United earlier in the season, but it was just one of many top displays.
| Club | Preston | Everton |
| Games | 17 | 10 |
| Starts | 13 | 6 |
| Minutes | 1131 | 495 |
The contrast in game time for Armstrong is clear to see, and considering it’s not often a young player takes to life straight away in the Championship, disrupting his momentum could be detrimental.
It looks as though Moyes may have made up his mind on the Evertonian now, when Armstrong has barely put a foot wrong.
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