Why Everton sanctioned Derby County transfer as expert delivers Harrison Armstrong verdict
Derby County completed their fourth January transfer on deadline day as they moved to sign exciting Everton talent Harrison Armstrong on loan until the end of the season.
The midfielder penned a new contract at Goodison Park before heading to Pride Park to complete his switch to the club and he is now expected to make his debut for Derby against Norwich this weekend.
Everton have high hopes for Armstrong, who is an England international at under-18s level and he has featured as a substitute in the Premier League this season.
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Here DerbyshireLive caught up with Everton writer Joe Thomas from the Liverpool Echo to get the lowdown on the Rams' latest acquisition and why the Toffees are excited by his potential.
What kind of player have Derby signed?
Armstrong is a box-to-box midfielder with tenacity and an eye for a goal. His exposure to the first team has been limited and has often come higher up the pitch in order to provide protection behind him. The fleeting chances he has had at senior level have provided glimpses of what he can do, with the best indicator his man of the match display in the FA Cup third round win over Peterborough United.
That was the most comfortable he looked in the first team and he deserved his accolade.
When he drops into academy football he has the ability to be everywhere, something that isn’t quite as easy in senior football, so it will help for him to have a defined role in the Derby set-up. But there are options about where that can be - he is not phased by playing against men, loves a strong tackle, is happy to take responsibility for the ball and can pick a clever pass.
Why have Everton allowed him to go out on loan?
This call was not taken lightly by Everton. While Armstrong enjoyed his rise under Dyche, he has quickly caught the attention of David Moyes too. When I spoke to the Blues boss last week there was a reluctance to sanction his departure given the fragility of the squad.
Over the weekend, a few things changed, though. Everton routed Leicester City to open a significant gap to the bottom three and ease relegation fears, put in motion the deal to bring attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz to the club and also watched fellow midfielders James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam come through their minutes unscathed after months out injured.
The ease of pressure, combined with the additional depth in the middle, led to Armstrong’s situation being reassessed, and it was felt his development needed greater exposure to first-team football than he was likely to get on Merseyside.
How highly is he regarded by the fans and the club?
Everton tied him to a new contract on Monday before allowing him to leave for Derby. That was a symbolic gesture because he only signed his first professional deal with the club in the summer, so the improved terms were a recognition of his development rather than a necessity. Armstrong was only allowed to leave following significant developments to Everton’s midfield options and is viewed as having the potential to properly break into the first team. Supporters are excited by his rapid development and there was no shortage of concern at the club allowing him to leave, a clear sign that many think he can do a job right now.
Derby have been after a creative thinker in midfield, does he fit that bill?
Armstrong can do a bit of everything and is a versatile option in midfield. When he is dropped into the academy sides this season he has enjoyed a lot of success in front of goal so he does offer a threat going forward. He is still young, and still learning, but his through ball to create the breakthrough in Everton’s win over Peterborough United last month suggests he can create something from nothing at senior level if he is given the time and freedom to do so.
What are his strengths?
His composure. Armstrong has gone from U18s football to the youth international setup and Premier League football in barely six months. At no point has he looked daunted by the challenges put before him. He will have much to learn and will do some of that learning at Derby, so needs and deserves patience - he has only just turned 18. But he has not looked out of place so far.
In the games he has played, what have you made of his performances?
Armstrong first caught my eye in a pre-season cameo at Preston. He had come off the bench before in pre-season, but against Salford City he was pushed out of position. At Preston he came on and got stuck in straight away. He was keen to receive the ball, wanted to affect the game and was happy to engage with players 10 years older than him.
His best showing was undoubtedly in the FA Cup though - even more so because of what had happened in the previous game.
Days earlier, Sean Dyche had turned to him at half-time at Bournemouth, when Everton were level but being completely overwhelmed. It was a huge show of respect for Armstrong’s potential and, while he struggled to make an impact, it was a tough environment to be introduced to - Bournemouth have beaten better sides than Everton at home and were able to find a winner in what proved to be Dyche’s last game.
The experience could have been a chastening one but Armstrong built on it in the FA Cup later that week. He earned a place in the starting line-up and looked at home, albeit against League One opposition.
His highlight was the defining moment of the game, the assist he provided to Beto to open the scoring. It was just before half-time and with a bit of anxiety creeping into the crowd, it would have been easy for Armstrong to have turned the ball over to a teammate. Instead, he took responsibility for the moment, took his time to assess his options and slid a gorgeous ball through the Peterborough midfield and defence to find his man.
That was his high point for the first team. What I have found most satisfying though is the performances for the U18s and U21s when he has been called upon. He scored a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park in the FA Youth Cup for the U18s and he has scored goals for the U21s in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy - so again, against senior opposition. It suggests he deserved his chances higher up because he continues to stand out in his own age groups.
