Harrison Armstrong is the next big thing at Everton, as David Moyes has a decision to make with the midfielder.
That choice being whether the 18-year-old is ready for a place in his plans, and if the Mansfield win was anything to go by, he certainly is.
But despite his success, Moyes is still deciding Armstrong’s future with deadline day looming, as a loan deal could be on the cards.
After the young talent’s success with Derby County last season, it brings reason why it would be good for his development.
However, his promise at Everton is abundantly clear, and Moyes should look at the record Armstrong has just matched.
Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Harrison Armstrong is the youngest player to provide two assists at Everton since Ross Barkley
The ceiling for the midfielder is very high, as in the limited chances he’s been given with the Toffees, he’s provided.
It’s hard to suggest that Armstrong isn’t ready for the challenge, as he was flawless in the EFL Cup triumph.
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So much so that after the 18-year-old provided two assists for the Blues, he became the youngest player to achieve this feat since former academy graduate Ross Barkley, who did the same in 2011 at 17 years old against Sheffield United in the League Cup.
Barkley was another teenager from Everton who burst onto the scene, and following his success, Armstrong has been called the next ‘Jude Bellingham’.
The former Evertonian having a successful period with the Toffees should be a platform Moyes builds on, as the Scotsman might have the same plan up his sleeve for Armstrong.
Ross Barkley had two Championship loans before Everton integration
Both players are the same in that they’ve shown early promise at a young age, and although Barkley jumped ship for £15 million to Chelsea in 2018, his career path on Merseyside should be replicated.
Although Armstrong is showing the right signs at Everton, which warrants a place in the squad, the now Aston Villa man had the right structure before being properly involved with the Toffees.
2011/12 – Everton 6 games played
2012/13 – Sheffield Wednesday 13 games played
2012/13 – Everton 7 games played
2012/13 – Leeds United 4 games played
2013/14 – Everton 34 games played
Ross Barkley’s early Everton career before first-team integration
As it can be seen, Moyes was experimenting with Barkley whilst also giving him time out on loan, and that could be the best solution for Armstrong.
Of course, the Scotsman wasn’t there during the 2013/14 season when he got his first real chance, but the Everton manager’s development helped him reach this stage of his career.
Armstrong believes in himself, and it looks like Moyes does too, but this is the right way to go about things, as the young prodigy must not be rushed.