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Harrison Armstrong hopes he has done enough in pre-season to show David Moyes that he can be a first-team regular at Everton this season.
Armstrong made 12 appearances for Everton last season after being recalled from his loan spell at Preston North End in January.
The 19-year-old's second-tier stint was his second loan spell, following a period with Derby County in 2024-25.
Armstrong has featured in all five of Everton's pre-season fixtures, including Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart.
Following that result, Armstrong told evertonfc.com that he's keen to show Moyes that he can be a regular this season, despite increased midfield competition from new signings Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard.
“It’s a chance to impress and it’s up to us to get in the team and to showcase myself,” Armstrong said of pre-season.
“I’ve had two loans now and I think I’ve improved on both. It’s obviously a chance to showcase to the manager and the rest of the lads and the fans what I've learnt.”
“Plenty for us to improve on” — Armstrong reflects on Stuttgart loss as he pushes to be an Everton regular
Armstrong also reflected on the defeat to Stuttgart and admitted there is 'plenty' for the Blues to improve on ahead of the Premier League campaign. He said Wednesday's clash with Newcastle United in Edinburgh can provide another gauge of where the side are at.
“I think we were probably unfortunate with the result. It’s not everything at this stage, but we definitely want to be putting together performances that we know can get us three points when we get back in the league.
“We had chances but so did they so there’s plenty for us to improve on.
“Wednesday is another opportunity to test ourselves against Premier League opposition. It’s something to look forward to and more minutes for the lads and whoever plays to put a performance in to try to get into the starting XI when the season comes round.”
Reader Comments (19)
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2 Posted 09/08/2026 at 15:15:21
There are at least 5 above him in the food chain in the centre of midfield and 2 others who may or may not be sold.
3 Posted 09/08/2026 at 16:36:00
We're crucially short in other areas but signed two guys who will block Armstrong's development. I can only assume he will be loaned out.
4 Posted 09/08/2026 at 17:37:26
Jimmy Garner will not be available for the first month and that will give Harrison the opportunity to cement his place.
I thought we looked a lot sharper in the first half yesterday with the energy of the young lads and some of the link-up play was a joy to watch -- only spoiled by the lack of a half-decent finisher.
Lukaku for 30 minutes a game would score more than Bill and Ben together.
5 Posted 09/08/2026 at 17:48:38
6 Posted 09/08/2026 at 18:09:27
Garner is our best player.
7 Posted 09/08/2026 at 18:12:03
8 Posted 09/08/2026 at 18:20:30
Iroegbunam and Alcaraz are not good enough if we want to be pushing up the table. Gana is gone so we definitely needed improvements.
Armstrong is now ready, and with Norgaard now here, I'd like Armstrong to now get the time Iroegbunam did last season. He's better on the ball, more controlled, better range of passing, looks after the ball... with a bit more experience, he could kick on so much this season.
Unlike Iroegbunam and Alcaraz, Armstrong doesn't look like he's trying too hard when he gets his chances, it's natural for him. Whereas the other two look like they are desperate to do something, and it ends up inevitably in mistakes.
As a squad, even now, we could keep all these midfield options and a couple of injuries would still see us back to patching things up. The squad is still really thin.
9 Posted 09/08/2026 at 18:35:45
I can understand the Norgaard purchase decision -- we need an experienced head in the deep central midfield position to allow the youngsters in front of him to make the mistakes.
But, I agree about Hackney; I have consistently maintained that that was a signing that we did not need. However good a player he is, we already have players like him in the side: Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Garner, etc.
If Iroegbunam and McNeil are sold (and no, Brennan Johnson is not a good enough replacement), then I think Armstrong should be okay this season in terms of game time.
10 Posted 09/08/2026 at 18:57:27
That's just your opinion -- not fact... and while I concede he was great last season, he still has only produced 3 goals and 10 assists in the last 3 years in the Premier League.
This one is a big one for him, I feel.
11 Posted 09/08/2026 at 19:37:28
Very much like-for-like, with Norgaard for Gana. Hackney will now be back-up to Garner and Dewsbury-Hall.
12 Posted 09/08/2026 at 22:24:16
Guess work of course but I don't believe a player producing top quality football, should be dropped the minute a player he replaced is fit.
Unfortunately our decrepit manager has history for this.
13 Posted 09/08/2026 at 22:27:39
Not saying Mike is wrong, but is that how far we've fallen? Garner is a talented pro, but no top team would pick him first choice. Like Leon Osman, touching international call up but not really.
When I think we were shite but still could fall back on a Brazilian international in Richarlison, now James is our best player. Man we need a wake up call
14 Posted 09/08/2026 at 22:58:05
Garner showed for a run of about 4-8 games last season that he could be a top player. However - only when he can replicate that level 75% of the time for 50 games a season can he be considered a top player.
He’s nowhere near that and he’ll be 26 at the end of next season. His output for goals is awful for Everton. He seems to be more of a destroyer than a creator but he’s not a specialist defensive midfielder either. He’s just a decent all round midfield player and would be an excellent squad player (like a Milner, Henderson, Fletcher etc) in a team competing at the very top.
As for young Harrison - get out now. While you can. Move to Germany. Bundesliga football.
He will not over 1000 minutes of premier league football before Christmas if he stays at Everton. Which at his stage of development could be fatal. He should demand out with a clause if he really wants to make it at everton.
15 Posted 09/08/2026 at 00:19:22
Harrison is going to be one of the best players in the Prem and a definite England player.
He is 19, he has loads of time and will learn from other midfield players that we have on the books.
When the dust settles with the "ins and outs" Everton will have one of the very best midfields in the Prem, its just a matter of time and Harrison will be right amongst it.
16 Posted 10/08/2026 at 07:40:12
17 Posted 10/08/2026 at 08:03:15
Good player though. But it's up front where we will really struggle. Not to mention right back, as things stand.
18 Posted 10/08/2026 at 13:53:21
Have we signed a right-back yet? This should have been the first two... yes, two signings in the door, for fuck's sake.
19 Posted 10/08/2026 at 22:50:44
I agree Jimmy, but he's too attack minded for the Moyesiah
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1 Posted 09/08/2026 at 14:24:59
The dour drill sergeant will think you're getting ideas above your station by showing some confidence in your ability.