Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman smiling, with David Moyes inset
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Tue 9 September 2025 16:30, UK
David Moyes’ options were bolstered significantly in the transfer window, with nine new players arriving at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton signed Merlin Rohl from SC Freiburg on transfer deadline day, with the German expected to compete with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the head of Moyes’ midfield.
Jack Grealish was the best of Everton’s transfer business, however, with the winger immediately hitting the ground running following his loan move from Manchester City.
The Toffees won three of their opening four games of the season before the international break, and now have a chance to make it three Premier League wins on the bounce.
Everton will play Aston Villa at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors struggling from a poor start to the season.
Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong wearing a warmup jacket.
Credit: Imago
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Harrison Armstrong scores again for England under-19s
Harrison Armstrong scored a late equaliser for England Under-19s on Saturday, getting on the end of a Rio Ngumoha cross to poke home.
The midfielder has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, and looked to have impressed Moyes enough to gain a spot in the first team this season.
The 18-year-old was given the full 90 minutes against Mansfield Town and produced a player of the match performance, providing assists for both goals.
🏴⭐️ | 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 (𝟏𝟖) vs Mansfield:
• MOTM
• MOST CHANCES CREATED (3)
• 92% Pass Accuracy
• 60 Passes Completed
• 9 Passes Into Final Third
• 6 Ball Recoveries
• 2/3 Ground Duels Won
• 2/4 Aerial Duels Won
𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 ✨ pic.twitter.com/cMh2LHewsR
— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) August 27, 2025
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But Everton ultimately decided that his development would be better served in the Championship this season, and Armstrong was loaned to Preston North End on deadline day.
The youngster has continued to give the Toffees reason to question that decision, however, and scored again for England under-19s on Tuesday.
Armstrong bagged the opener in a 4-1 win over the Netherlands for Will Antwi’s side, making it two in two for the midfielder.
Harrison Armstrong is Everton’s next Leon Osman
Leon Osman spent his entire career at Everton, making 433 appearances for the Toffees after emerging from the academy as a boy.
The midfielder did enjoy two loans, first to Carlisle United, before joining Derby County, the club Armstrong spent six months at last season.
Leon Osman Everton
Appearances 433
Goals 58
Assists 36
Following his two loans, Osman would go on to become a key player for Everton over the next decade.
Armstrong will hope to walk a similar path at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the addition of some trophy-winners medals at the end of it.
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