Everton fans are keeping close tabs on Harrison Armstrong’s development this season as he stars for Preston North End.
Harrison Armstrong has caused some serious excitement at Everton.
The 18-year-old has emerged in the Everton ranks and looks to be a star in the making.
Seamus Coleman has praised Armstrong, and the teenager continues to shine on loan at Preston North End.
Armstrong excelled as PNE beat Sheffield United on Friday, and his loan move in Lancashire has been a roaring success so far.
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Harrison Armstrong could be on the same path as Iliman Ndiaye
Armstrong’s move means that he is now playing under Paul Heckingbottom, who has a strong background in developing young players.
One of Heckingbottom’s big success stories is a man Everton fans know very well – Iliman Ndiaye.
Heckingbottom became Sheffield United’s Under-23 boss in 2020, just a year after Ndiaye had arrived from Boreham Wood.
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Ndiaye was considered to be a real talent out wide, but he had no first-team pathway as Chris Wilder played a 3-5-2 system.
Heckingbottom turned Ndiaye into a forward, and this proved to be a masterstroke – especially as Heckingbottom ended up becoming first-team boss in 2021.
Ndiaye played a vital role as Heckingbottom guided Sheffield United to the Premier League, and the now-Everton star earned his big move to boyhood club Marseille.
It’s reasonable to suggest that Ndiaye would not have been in that position – or his current rise to stardom at Everton – without Heckingbottom.
Now, Heckingbottom is overseeing the development of Everton’s next big thing in Armstrong.
After seeing Ndiaye’s path, Everton should feel pretty confident in Heckingbottom being able to take Armstrong up a level or two this season.
Armstrong has impressed early on for PNE, and Ndiaye is surely watching on from afar while knowing that the midfielder is in good hands.
David Moyes will be a regular visitor to Deepdale
We can’t overlook the connection between David Moyes and PNE.
Moyes ended his playing days at Deepdale and then started his outstanding coaching career with the Lilywhites.
The Scot has now done PNE something of a favour by sending Armstrong on loan, despite rival Championship interest.
Moyes has been seen at Deepdale many, many times over the years, and he now has even more reason to visit his former club.
Moyes watched Armstrong in action just last week, and he will surely be a regular visitor as Everton’s top young talent continues to shine.