Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Tue 10 March 2026 13:10, UK

Harrison Armstrong has been given no choice over his future at Everton.

The 19-year-old returned to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the January window as David Moyes needed midfield reinforcements.

He worked well in the middle of the park as an alternative to Idrissa Gueye while he featured for Senegal at AFCON.

That honeymoon period seems to have fallen away recently as his game time has become increasingly limited on Merseyside.

Questions have now been raised about Armstrong’s future at Everton, but it seems as if a potential exit was halted by the Toffees.

Everton have final say on Harrison Armstrong’s exit

The teenager has hardly featured in the last two games, featuring across just nine minutes in the most recent Premier League outings.

That has prompted many to question why his minutes have fallen off so much recently, despite a positive return to Merseyside.

It is especially strange considering that a loan return to Preston was on the cards late in the January window as an option at Deepdale.

Former Everton scout Bryan King has now suggested that it was Everton’s choice to keep Armstrong, even though things haven’t really worked out for anyone.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, King said: “It’s the life of a footballer.

“Whose decision was it to keep him there? Was it him or was it the club?

“If the club say you’re here until the end of the season and that’s why we brought you back, that’s it. He’s under contract, so it’s not his decision.

“It seems to have affected Preston as well because they’ve fallen off quite a bit.”

Everton have kept Armstrong for a reason, but it is yet to be seen what that is right now.

Preston seriously suffering without Armstrong

Unfortunately for Preston, their dreams of playing in the Premier League were pretty much dashed as soon as their loan star returned to L4.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side haven’t won in five and have gone from being true play off condenders to nothing more than mid-table fodder right now.

It’s no coincidence that their form has dropped off without Armstrong, as he had a regular role throughout his time at Deepdale.

There will be frustration for the Championship side as they see the midfielder sitting on the bench more regularly under Moyes.

Everton made the call and have to die by the sword, but it is ultimately Armstrong and Preston who are suffering.