Harrison Armstrong, David Moyes
(Credit: Imago)
Dakir Thanveer
Fri 14 March 2025 20:09, UK
Harrison Armstrong has established himself as a regular for Derby County after joining them on loan from Everton.
Armstrong joined Derby on a six-month loan deal in the winter transfer window with a view to earning significant first-team experience but had a slow start under Paul Warne.
It took John Eustace to take the reins at Pride Park for the Everton loanee to become a starter for the Rams, leading to the 18-year-old playing at least 75 minutes in each of their last three games.
Armstrong is now growing in stature at Derby, having helped them to consecutive victories over promotion contenders Blackburn and Coventry City.
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Derby cried out for player like Armstrong, says Sam Parkin
Assessing Derby‘s recent results, Sam Parkin pointed out how they beat Coventry twice in the Championship this season by scoring four goals from three shots on target.
Having also netted two goals from two shots on target against Blackburn, Eustace’s side are showing incredible efficiency, according to the pundit.
Minutes Accurate Passes Touches Successful Dribbles Tackles Won Clearances Recovories Duels Won
90 21/30 (70%) 45 2/3 2/2 4 5 7/12
Armstrong v Coventry, 11 March. (FotMob)
He then tipped his hat to Armstrong, who he feels is providing the creativity that the Rams were “crying out” for mid-way through the season and described his recent performances as “eye-catching”.
“There was an own-goal in a bit of robbery [against Coventry in November] and if you want to just flick back to last week, two shots on target against Blackburn as well in that victory”, Parkin said on the Championship Check-in podcast (13 March).
“Incredibly efficient. They are not all of a sudden going to become a ridiculously creative team full of goals.
“But, Harrison Armstrong, by all accounts, loanee from Everton… They were crying out for creativity in January, I think, particularly in the wide positions.
“He’s a central midfield player, but very eye-catching performance from him. Two eye-catching performances from him.
“The midfield trio – Ebou Adams, [Liam] Thompson and Armstrong – getting a lot of the plaudits.”
Armstrong one for Everton future
Armstrong broke into the first team at Everton under Sean Dyche this season, making his debut in the 4-0 Premier League defeat against Tottenham in August.
The midfielder has since made six senior appearances for the Goodison Park outfit, with four of them coming off the bench and two as a starter.
Everton always planned to send Armstrong out on loan in the winter transfer window even when Dyche was still in charge of the team.
That is why he joined Derby until the end of the season despite David Moyes breathing new life into players like Beto and Jake O’Brien.
There is no doubt that the teenager’s experience with the Rams will stand him in good stead when he returns to Finch Farm in the summer.
He is viewed in his regard at Everton and is therefore likely to be given a chance to forge a long-lasting career on Merseyside.
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