Everton have a potential superstar on their hands with Harrison Armstrong.
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I don't like hyping up young players too much. It can be detrimental to expect so much from them.
But it's hard not to wax lyrical about Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
The major talking point heading into the game was the fact that Everton had three midfielders out injured. That meant David Moyes was forced to play a midfield two of Hayden Hackney and Harrison Armstrong.
One player who is yet to play in the Premier League, and the other is just 19 years old. Hackney deserves plenty of credit for slotting into the deeper midfield role and not looking out of place, but it's Armstrong who stole the show, receiving a nine out of 10 rating from me.
There has been talk throughout the summer about the future of Armstrong. Should Everton loan him out? Will he get enough minutes this season? After that performance, it's safe to say Armstrong deserves to be given plenty of game time throughout the campaign.
But what makes Armstrong so special?
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Complete midfielder
Describing someone as a complete midfielder might seem like you’re suggesting that they are world-class in every area, but that’s not the case. I believe Armstrong is the complete midfielder due to his profile.
Armstrong can play in multiple different roles in midfield and contribute in different aspects at a strong level. He’s capable of putting his foot in and winning the ball back, driving from deep, making clever runs into the box like a number 10, picking the right pass in the final third, and playing progressively through his passing or dribbling.
There really isn’t much he can’t do. Again, that’s not to say he can do everything to an elite level, but he can do almost everything to a really strong level, particularly for his age.
Armstrong has been compared to Steven Gerrard previously, and it’s easy to see why. Now it’s all about taking all of these strengths he has to his game and then taking them to the next level.
He has all the attributes at a certain level to be able to go wherever he wants in the game. Whether he does go to the next level remains to be seen, but there’s no reason why not.
Attitude
It’s very easy for young talents who are thrown into a Premier League environment to fall by the wayside. We’ve seen it a ridiculous number of times, but everything you hear about Armstrong is that he’s got the attitude where that’s simply not going to happen.
It might happen due to a lack of talent if he fails to progress, but I strongly believe if he’s not going to become a top-level Premier League footballer, it will have nothing to do with his talent or application.
Maturity
Armstrong simply doesn’t look like a 19-year-old footballer. He was thrown into start in the Premier League in a central midfield role against an established Premier League side, in front of an expectant crowd.
He’s obviously already had chances to get used to playing in front of the Everton supporters, but it’s still a huge deal that he’s starting in the Premier League. Despite that, Armstrong looks like he’s been playing in the Premier League for years.
He takes responsibility wherever he is on the pitch. He’ll happily receive deep, take players on to carry the ball out of pressured situations, and demand the ball in advanced areas to try and show his creative side.
Armstrong’s assist against Crystal Palace optimises him as a player. Stop a potentially dangerous counter-attack by winning the ball back, and then stayed composed to pick out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall inside the penalty area.
Big season ahead
It’s certainly going to be an interesting season for Armstrong, with David Moyes admitting after the game that he probably wouldn’t be starting if others are fit.
I’m hoping, if Armstrong does stick around, which is now expected, that he is still given plenty of minutes, and I don’t mean coming off the bench at right wing. He’s a player who is ready for Premier League football after his loan periods, and on his showing yesterday, he’s someone who can contribute significantly.
This isn’t just a young talent. This is a player who can have a major impact for Everton at senior level.