Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Thu 2 April 2026 11:10, UK

David Moyes has failed to utilise Harrison Armstrong at Everton, just months after he looked primed for a return to Preston on loan.

The current campaign started well for Armstrong, who had made 17 appearances on loan at Preston, with a goal and an assist to his name.

His form ultimately earned him a recall to Everton, who were in the midst of an availability crisis, with the teenager then going on to play a fairly crucial role in the Premier League.

However, Armstrong was then linked with a return to Preston, in a move that failed to materialise, and Moyes is now left with questions as to why.

David Moyes to blame if Harrison Armstrong falters

At 19 years old, Armstrong is at the point in his career where nothing will benefit him quite as much as playing regular football.

He was getting that at Preston, and while it made sense for him to be recalled, it made no sense for Moyes to keep him at Hill Dickinson given the fact that everyone knew gametime would drop significantly.

Since returning, Armstrong has started six Premier League games with a total of 11 league appearances, with just 499 minutes combined.

To make matters worse, the teenager has played just 13 minutes of football across the last four Premier League encounters since the end of February.

Moyes should have seen this coming, and he will now have to deal with the consequences of Armstrong having his development halted.

What’s next for Armsrong at Everton?

Another loan move will almost certainly be on the cards for Armstrong, but the destination could differ from his previous two spells away from Merseyside.

Both of his loan moves have been in the Championship, where he has impressed, and the next step could be for him to join a team lower in the Premier League.

Either way, Everton need to ensure that he is getting regular gametime next season, regardless of where that may come.