Latest news with #HarrisonArmstrong
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Excitement growing at Everton over youngster who is not allowed to play in final matches
Harrison Armstrong has returned to Everton after his loan spell with Derby County but will not be available for David Moyes over the coming games. The Blues starlet, whose remarkable rise has included a Premier League debut and international youth call-up this season, is back with the club after playing a pivotal role in the Rams' escape from Championship relegation. He will be ineligible to feature for Everton again due to the loan excursion but already has his sights set on next year. Reflecting on his loan spell in the second tier, during which he scored his first senior goal with a stunning volley against Derby's relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle, he said: 'I've learned a lot about myself: things I'm good at, strengths and weaknesses. READ MORE: Beto, Doucoure, Longstaff, Soucek - Everton transfer latest as David Moyes talks up star READ MORE: Everton and Liverpool handed UEFA win for joint response to Merseyside derby abuse 'I think I've matured as a person and hopefully I'm an all-round better player. You're playing in front of a crowd, having pressure on you each game. "And I think physically, having to play games in a matter of a few days has been tough, but I've enjoyed it.' Moyes is aware of his talent and has travelled to watch the teenager in action. He will also now get the chance to work with him in training. Excitement had been growing at Everton over the potential possessed by Armstrong but his rise has been turbo-charged this season. Sean Dyche introduced him to the first team set-up in pre-season amid an injury crisis. After acquitting himself well he was given his senior debut in the trip to Tottenham Hotspur in August. He made six appearances for the first team, including a man of the match display in the FA Cup against Peterborough United, before being loaned to Derby. There, he played 10 full matches under John Eustace and endeared himself to the Pride Park faithful. The heart of a Liverpool-born youngster who has been at Everton since the age of five is firmly set on building a future at the club's stunning new stadium. Having signed a long-term deal earlier this year, the 18-year-old is well placed to do that. Speaking to club media, he said: 'Every month, it seems like there's a different challenge, but I think I've taken to it well and hopefully there's many more to come. 'I don't think I would have expected it to go this quickly. As a player, you're always hoping for success and you're hoping you can do well, but I think I've just taken it one step at a time and taken every challenge as it comes… [The team] has been doing really well and it's nice to see the club going in an upward trajectory. "I think it's something a young player wants to be part of. You see the club moving forward with the new stadium and new players coming in. And yes, you want to be a part of it.'
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'I want to be my own player'
"When I'm not playing football, I'm watching it."There are going to be comparisons to players but I want to be my own player."Dominic Dietrich interviews midfielder Harrison Armstrong ahead of the Rams' crucial clash with fellow relegation strugglers Luton Town on Good pair also go in-depth on Armstrong's admiration of Luka Modric and his plans of returning to parent club to the full post-match reaction and more on the Rams Daily podcast.
New York Times
10-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Everton's top prospect Harrison Armstrong is thriving in the spotlight on loan at Derby
It is easy to forget at times that Harrison Armstrong has not long turned 18. On his first loan away from boyhood club Everton, the young midfielder has adapted seamlessly to life at a Derby County side struggling in the Championship, English football's second tier. Armstrong's latest test came on Tuesday as Derby, who began the game out of the relegation places only on goal difference, welcomed high-flying Burnley — who were at that stage top of the table. Advertisement Watching on at Pride Park were Everton's manager David Moyes and his assistant Billy McKinlay, keen to run the rule over a player widely regarded to be the Premier League club's best academy prospect and the one closest to breaking through into their first-team ranks. Armstrong rose to the occasion, helping head coach John Eustace's side to a valuable goalless draw that keeps Derby out of the drop zone with five games of their season to play. It was a night that reinforced the benefit of loaning the teenager — who made his Premier League debut at age 17 as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in August under Sean Dyche and as recently as February 2 was on Everton's bench — to a club such as Derby. With resources stretched, opinion was initially split at Goodison Park as to whether Armstrong should be farmed out for the second half of the season. Dyche, in particular, had been keen to keep hold of the energetic youngster. Yet the decision was taken that three months of regular minutes with Derby was best for his long-term development. Everton also toyed with the idea of sending him to a club near the top of League One, English football's third tier, but backed him to show his worth a division higher. Their loan deals are structured in a way that protects them and the player, too. Alongside an initial fee, the agreements contain significant penalty clauses should the loanee not play a high threshold of minutes for the club he's moving to. Such is the regard in which he is held, Armstrong also signed a new long-term contract before heading to Derby on the winter window's deadline day, in the first week of February. The road from Goodison to Pride Park is well travelled. Though they spent the previous two seasons in League One, Derby are seen as a big club — Premier League regulars in the 1990s and early 2000s, they still attract big crowds, with Tuesday's game with Burnley drawing 27,584. With that status and their ongoing relegation battle comes a high degree of pressure that simply cannot be replicated playing academy football. Advertisement Yet Armstrong has made an instantaneous and significant impression. It is rare that a teenage loanee plays on a regular basis in the Championship, but he has quickly become a mainstay in Eustace's side, appearing in all but one of Derby's games since signing and starting the past seven in a row. The view at Derby is that he has thrown himself into the task at hand and little so far has fazed him. He arrived with the intention of helping them stay up and has so far helped inspire improved results and performances, including a four-match winning streak, the personal highlight being his first senior goal in the 3-2 away victory against fellow relegation candidates Plymouth Argyle last month, a sweet side-footed volley that showcased high-level technical ability. Still thinking about that Harrison Armstrong finish. 😍 — Derby County (@dcfcofficial) March 16, 2025 Parallels have already been drawn with Everton midfield predecessor Leon Osman's half-season on loan to Derby in 2004, when he played 17 games, scored three goals and helped them avoid relegation from this same tier of English football, then called the First Division. The hope is Armstrong can repeat the trick. 'I've loved every second of it,' Armstrong told Derby's matchday programme. 'It didn't really feel like I had, or needed, a settling-in period. You quickly realise the size of the club and that things need to change from the position we found ourselves in the league table. There wasn't any time for me to pass by; I had to get on board quickly and try to have an impact. 'When I came in, the idea was to help the club stay up and we are still in a position to do that. A big part of the loan experience is how I handle the pressure of a big fanbase when something is riding on every game. I'm passionate and love to play in high-pressure situations.' Advertisement Tuesday's draw with Burnley was a good example. Against a club who played Premier League football last season and could well do so again in the next one, Armstrong and Derby more than held their own. Operating in a midfield two alongside fellow youngster Liam Thompson, 22, with captain Ebou Adams just ahead, the Everton loanee helped get Derby on the front foot with a series of well-timed tackles and interceptions in the first half. The view at Everton is that Armstrong, who is already comfortably over 6ft (183cm), is ready to compete physically at the top level. He has put on muscle since arriving at Derby and has a clear competitive edge. He can play — one neat touch and turn in midfield on Tuesday brought applause from all corners of Pride Park — but he also wants to dominate opponents. There were multiple occasions where he left a leg or arm in to make his presence known in challenges with Burnley players. 'You've got to be able to do both sides of the game,' he also said in that interview with the Derby matchday programme. 'Being physical is an important part. You see it more and more, you have to be able to do everything off the ball as well as on it.' Even at this early stage in his career, Armstrong is showing leadership traits. He captained England Under-18s against their French counterparts during the March international break and could be seen regularly cajoling his Derby team-mates in Tuesday's game and pointing to where they should be. Eustace has already seen enough to predict a 'huge future' for him. 'He's been excellent,' the Derby manager told The Athletic in Tuesday's post-match press conference. 'He's maturing into a very good player. There's still a lot that he needs to learn but he's 18 and that was his seventh start. 'We had two young players (Thompson being the other) in the middle up against a really experienced set of players and they were excellent. It's just his level of concentration. In his defensive roles, he's very good. He's got a lovely touch and is getting more involved in our build-up play now as well. Advertisement 'He's got a calming influence on the rest of the team. He knows where to put his foot on the ball and play. You can see he's being educated very well. Harrison's going to have a huge future, I'm sure. It's nice that he's a part of Derby County at the moment and we'll keep helping him on his journey.' What comes next, beyond this season, still appears to be up in the air. Aside from Moyes and McKinlay making their in-person check on Tuesday, Everton have tracked Armstrong's progress, compiling game-by-game reports on him that can be accessed by coaching staff at all levels of the club. These include clips and various data points. Their outgoing head of pathways James Vaughan liaises with Armstrong and Derby, and is there to provide general support, while player development lead coach Dan Micciche, also set to leave the club in the coming weeks to take up a new role in Saudi Arabia, has handled technical feedback. It is felt that positive progress has been made during the loan so far, with the main focus for Armstrong now on refining his positional play and continuing to learn the intricacies of his box-to-box role. Comparisons have been drawn with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard but, having come through the Everton setup, the 18-year-old is likely to have a more favourable view of references to Arsenal's England international Declan Rice. The most likely scenario is that Armstrong returns to Everton once his loan finishes after Derby's final match of the season on May 3, and that he will get a chance to stake his claim for a 2025-26 first-team place during pre-season. Although, with a summer rebuild on the cards, much will depend on who Everton sign at his position. Armstrong may also be in the England squad for June's Under-19 European Championship, potentially reducing the amount of time he spends during pre-season with Moyes and the coaching staff. But the most important thing at this stage is that he continues to play and develop. Whatever lies ahead, this has been a season of progress for Armstrong. And if he continues down what seems the right career path, Eustace's talk of him having a 'huge future' will look like a smart bet.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'What a player' - Harrison Armstrong praised as Everton starlet delivers huge blow to Frank Lampard
It may have taken a little longer than he would've wanted. But Derby County are slowly getting to see the best of Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong. The midfielder was sent on loan by the Blues in January to the Championship outfit and initially struggled to make an impression. However, in recent outings the youngster has showcased the promise that has got so many excited at Goodison Park. On Saturday, Armstrong was named player of the match in his team's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in what was just his second start. "I thought it was a real mature performance against two very good midfielders against him in there and a good number 10. I was very proud of his effort," said manager John Eustace after the game. READ MORE: Everton star spotted at Anfield as David Moyes makes Liverpool joke before Champions League exit READ MORE: Everton could take chance on £67million striker after surprise transfer rumours emerge "We spoke in the week on a few things that we need to improve on with him. He's certainly taken that on board and we're very fortunate we have him here. The 18-year-old naturally kept his place for the visit of Coventry City on Tuesday night. Frank Lampard's side had won nine of their last 10 games, although they suffered a shock 2-0 loss to the Rams on the night. Afterwards, Armstrong earned rave reviews for his performance again. Reach's own Richard Cusack said on X: "There is just something about Everton loanees to Derby in the second half of the season isn't there? Harrison Armstrong is looking a real player. Making a big impact under John Eustace" "Thanks Everton, what a player Harrison Armstrong is," said The1884 account on X. Another joked "Harrison Armstrong is toss, let him stay here forever yeah cheers." Back-to-back wins for Derby has given their survival hopes a huge boost going into the final stages of the season. They are just one point behind Cardiff City, who are in the final safe spot in the Championship table.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Derby County face Blackburn Rovers in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season. Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford. Follow live updates from today's game in the live blog below. Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Delay over. They are ready to continue. 8 March 2025 16:39 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Delay in match because of an injury Harrison Armstrong (Derby County). 8 March 2025 16:38 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Attempt missed. Hayden Carter (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box. 8 March 2025 16:38 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Attempt blocked. Cauley Woodrow (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 8 March 2025 16:36 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Jerry Yates (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 8 March 2025 16:35 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8 March 2025 16:35 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8 March 2025 16:35 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Substitution, Derby County. Kayden Jackson replaces Marcus Harness. 8 March 2025 16:34 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Foul by Makhtar Gueye (Blackburn Rovers). 8 March 2025 16:32 Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Harrison Armstrong (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 8 March 2025 16:31
