Midfielder Harrison Armstrong was the only Scouser in the Everton first team squad this season but Anders Limpar wants to see more local players for the Blues
Harrison Armstrong was a one-off in Everton’s team this season but one of the club’s FA Cup heroes reckons the Blues need more players of his ilk.
Although fellow Merseysider, Birkenhead-born James Garner was Everton’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season Armstrong, who, having been recalled early from a season-long loan at Preston North End on January 1, would go on to make a dozen first team appearances for the Blues, was the only Scouser in David Moyes’ first team squad.
The 19-year-old midfielder from West Derby has now made 18 senior outings for Everton and follows in the footsteps of other home-grown heroes from the city who have graduated through the academy system such as Michael Ball, Ross Barkley, Tom Davies, Anthony Gordon, Tony Grant, Tony Hibbert, Francis Jeffers and Wayne Rooney.
Despite hailing from Sweden, Anders Limpar is a lifelong Evertonian and having played alongside Scousers Gary Ablett and captain Dave Watson in Liverpool-born Joe Royle’s 1995 FA Cup-winning team – which remains the club’s last major trophy to date – he reckons the current crop could do with more local lads.
The 60-year-old told Betano Online Casino: “We need hard-grafting, good players from the Liverpool area, who know the system. It’s different if you come from abroad and have to cope with the Scousers and the system.
“Everton are doing a great thing looking at the academy players coming up, that’s a positive. You have to know your area, and the Liverpool area, even if you play for Everton or Liverpool, it’s special.
“There are especially good people up there, which I love. So, Everton needs good players, especially from the Liverpool area.”