Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images
Photo by Maynard Manyowa/News Images
Everton fans almost saw Harrison Armstrong leave the club at the end of the summer transfer window – and the midfielder has now spoken about the reaction from fans at the time.
Everton have played six Premier League games so far, and Harrison Armstrong has started every single one up to now. He faded into the shadows at the back end of last season, but the academy has been front and centre for the Toffees this term.
And he has certainly impressed, showing great industry in the Everton engine room – impressively, he has covered the most distance of any player in the Premier League so far.
But there was a point where he could have left, and it took fans to voice their displeasure to force The Friedkin Group to make a U-turn – and Armstrong has now shared his thoughts about the situation.
Celtic are eyeing David Moyes with his Everton contract expiring next year… thoughts? 🤔
Everton manager David Moyes
Credit: Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Harrison Armstrong left stunned by reaction to near-exit from Everton
The Friedkin Group were ready to sell Armstrong, and had reportedly agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest for his transfer. Apparently, a medical had also been scheduled.
But following the reports, Everton fans far and wide expressed their dismay about the idea of the most promising young player at the club in years being sold. Fans chanted after the game with Bournemouth for Armstrong to stay – and thankfully, their voices were heard. TFG then vetoed the sale.
After yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Hull, Armstrong was interviewed by the club’s media team, and expressed his gratitude and also surprise at the reaction from fans.
He said: “For a fanbase to get involved and show as much support as they did, it’s special. I don’t think I’ve actually seen that before.
“It’s meant the world to me and my family. In a moment and times where I obviously understand it’s part of the game and you’re going to have to experience things like that. It’s given me confidence and it’s made me feel loved and it’s cemented that this is the place to be for me.”
Everton won’t regret keeping Armstrong
It’s heartwarming to hear how much the reaction from the fans touched Armstrong. But it was a reaction that really befitted such a brilliant young player.
Armstrong isn’t just the future, he’s the present. It has been refreshing to see him as involved as he has been, knowing that David Moyes can be very conservative when it comes to handing minutes out to younger players.
But he is very clearly ready to make an impact now for Everton’s first-team, as he has been showing.
Everton could have banked a nice pure profit by selling Armstrong. But one suspects that he will be worth much more than the fee Forest were going to pay in just a few years’ time.
Ideally, though, we won’t reach a point again where we’re talking about selling Armstrong again, and he will have a long and successful career in the blue of Everton.