2025/26 Harrison Armstrong


He’d be behind Garner, Tim and Alcaraz and I’m not seeing him get minutes instead of Rohl. When KDH comes back Armstrong would be in the soft play area with the rest of the kids on the bench waiting for his parents to come and collect him.
He has lots of time on his side and is doing really well where he is, getting loads of minutes and experience in men’s football
Tim and Alcarax have had some shocking performances, so I think Armstrong would get plenty of minutes. Also Preston tend to play long ball, I think
Armstrong would excel alongside Grealish, ndiaye and KDH. The kid is extremely talented and got a very good brain for 18.

Edit:- long term he will be on another level to Tim and Alcaraz
 
He’d be behind Garner, Tim and Alcaraz and I’m not seeing him get minutes instead of Rohl. When KDH comes back Armstrong would be in the soft play area with the rest of the kids on the bench waiting for his parents to come and collect him.
He has lots of time on his side and is doing really well where he is, getting loads of minutes and experience in men’s football
Nah not at the start of next season. Hes got far more upside than Tim, Alcaraz & Rohl. For a start he can play a pass which none of them can. I’d be using him alongside KDH and giving him 15/20 starts. He’s going to be a top player imho.
 

I agree that he can move and progress the ball well.and press but I think he's equally good if not better as a sitter
I think you'd be missing so many of his best qualities - energy, running with the ball - and relying on two of his less developed qualities in passing and defensive positioning. At the top level anyway that's asking a lot from an 18 year old!

Not saying I don't see it in his future though :)
 
I think you'd be missing so many of his best qualities - energy, running with the ball - and relying on two of his less developed qualities in passing and defensive positioning. At the top level anyway that's asking a lot from an 18 year old!

Not saying I don't see it in his future though :)
And there in lies the problem. I’ve heard he’s doing well on loan but not hearing about goals and assists galore, or even how he’s ripping teams up through his direct running.
I’m not for one second being negative about him, he’s 18 and learning but this is exactly why there’s such a risk about bringing him back vs leaving him on loan.
Unfortunately unless you are a top 6 team who can bring a player on when cruising for the last 20 mins or giving the occasional game surrounded by top players then the gamble is often too great in the PL.
We also know the pressure that young players feel at their home clubs and the speed at which expectation vs goodwill falls away.
Fingers crossed he fulfils his potential at Everton, regardless of whether it’s this or next season.
 
I'd say more of a Carrick if sat back.

He's just got so much energy moving forward though, very good taking the ball on the turn and laying it off.

Would you be taking too much out of his game though putting him back rather than a No8.

Still a lot to learn though, before expectations start..

I really think he'll be an 8 for now. Maybe his biggest strength going forward currently is carrying the ball, compared to his passing. Would be a waste of that asking him to sit and be more positionally disciplined.

I agree that he can move and progress the ball well.and press but I think he's equally good if not better as a sitter

The good thing is that he's gaining experience. Now he's been used as a 6 and an 8 on loan.

I think if we look at the 11 then KDH & Garner are both first choice in a 3 for Moyes.

From there, the third spot is up for grabs between Alcaraz, Gana, Iroegbunam and Rohl. I expect the first two to be out the door in the summer, unless kept as squad players.

From there he's up against Iroegbunam who looks to be a tackle machine and Rohl who looks to be a ball carrier and not much else...so far.

Using Armstrong as a 6 would enable him to have the whole pitch in front of him. There he can sit, like Wharton and play simple short or long passes. Also, this season Wharton has been more of a sitter and both players are good ball carriers and can bring the ball forwards.

I'd use him as a 6 because he can use both his passing and taking the ball on the turn from the Centre backs and either pass, or drive forwards.

Defensively, he looked good positionally for Derby and his tackles have bite. I think he'd add pace and cover the ground well, while being intelligent enough to know how to hold position when needed.

Something we dont have aside from perhaps with Garner.
 

I think you'd be missing so many of his best qualities - energy, running with the ball - and relying on two of his less developed qualities in passing and defensive positioning. At the top level anyway that's asking a lot from an 18 year old!

Not saying I don't see it in his future though :)

He looked ace at Derby as a 6. At his age I expect it would also be a good idea to develop other areas of his game.

Under Moyes defensive positioning is key and Rice benefitted from this before moving into the 8.
 
And there in lies the problem. I’ve heard he’s doing well on loan but not hearing about goals and assists galore, or even how he’s ripping teams up through his direct running.
I’m not for one second being negative about him, he’s 18 and learning but this is exactly why there’s such a risk about bringing him back vs leaving him on loan.
Unfortunately unless you are a top 6 team who can bring a player on when cruising for the last 20 mins or giving the occasional game surrounded by top players then the gamble is often too great in the PL.
We also know the pressure that young players feel at their home clubs and the speed at which expectation vs goodwill falls away.
Fingers crossed he fulfils his potential at Everton, regardless of whether it’s this or next season.
He's no where near ready to play in the premier league. He's not even a stand out player for Preston.
 
I think you'd be missing so many of his best qualities - energy, running with the ball - and relying on two of his less developed qualities in passing and defensive positioning. At the top level anyway that's asking a lot from an 18 year old!

Not saying I don't see it in his future though :)
I've watched him quite a lot and I've never seen him do much apart from play short passes the way he's facing. No running with it, no ball manipulation, no difficult passes.
 
I've watched him quite a lot and I've never seen him do much apart from play short passes the way he's facing. No running with it, no ball manipulation, no difficult passes.

…..you must be getting him mixed up with Jack Rodwell. If you think Armstrong only plays short, safe passes, maybe somebody could post a clip for his Beto goal assist last season.

Actually think Armstrong looks to probe with his passes, brilliant if you’re a central striker because he’ll knock it into you. I honestly don’t recognise your description of him at all.
 

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