News of Nottingham Forest’s interest in Harrison Armstrong emerged on the morning of Everton’s game at Bournemouth, leaving the 19-year-old with plenty to process before kick-off back in August.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a point of finding his young teammate during the warm-up and offered him some simple advice, speaking to the Liverpool Echo.
“I just said the best thing he can do today is play how he has been playing.”
Armstrong did exactly that, with Dewsbury-Hall impressed by the way he dealt with the situation.
Dewsbury-Hall details pre-match support and away fan impact at Bournemouth
Dewsbury-Hall admitted it was a difficult position for any player, particularly one still in the early stages of his career.
“For any player to be in that situation [let alone] a 19-year-old it is tough. To be fair to him, he took it in his stride. He is so mature for his age, he is impressive. He ended up playing really well that game which is a testament to how he is.”
Everton’s travelling supporters also made their feelings clear during the game, and Dewsbury-Hall believes their backing helped Armstrong.
“They definitely made their feelings known and obviously it worked. Big credit to them for that. To be fair, they were amazing that day. And I know for a fact it made Harrison feel very good and it helped him.”
Leadership role and dressing room dynamics for Everton midfielders
Dewsbury-Hall is part of Everton’s leadership group alongside Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and James Garner, and has taken a particular interest in Armstrong given their similar positions.
He described the teenager as a confident and respected member of the squad, although there is one area of his game that regularly provides ammunition for dressing-room banter.
“Shooting’s definitely one because his shooting is, sometimes, not the best, and I’ve told him that many times.
“We always joke about it. But he’s got pretty much everything else but that. Anything he needs, I’m going to help him and you’ll see him – the more he plays, he’ll get better and better.”
That relationship offers another glimpse of the Everton dressing room dynamics developing under David Moyes.
Development path and future outlook for Armstrong under Friedkin ownership
Armstrong first appeared for Everton as a 17-year-old in a pre-season friendly at Salford City under Sean Dyche before spending time on loan at Preston North End last season.
He was recalled in January and has since become a regular option for Moyes.
Amid the wider discussion over what comes next for the Toffees, Dewsbury-Hall’s comments offer a more straightforward picture of life inside the squad: a young player dealing with unwanted transfer speculation and an experienced teammate making sure he did not have to deal with it alone.
Tyler Dibling belongs at Everton, says Alan Irvine after cup win
Tyler Dibling belongs at Everton, says Alan Irvine after cup win
Alan Irvine hails Carlos Alcaraz after Everton beat Wolves
Alan Irvine hails Carlos Alcaraz after Everton beat Wolves