Everton decided to keep Harrison Armstrong beyond the transfer window, and Michael Ball has praised the youngster for showing one impressive trait.
In the end, no first-team players left Everton on transfer deadline day.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers Q&A session on TalkingPoints.
Dwight McNeil was moments away from signing for Crystal Palace, but the Eagles pulled the plug on the move at the eleventh hour.
The situation has left the player devastated, with Everton sending a public message of support to McNeil today on social media.
David Moyes has decent depth heading into the second half of the season – especially in midfield.
And after some deliberating, Moyes has decided to keep Harrison Armstrong – and Michael Ball is delighted.
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Michael Ball has noticed a refreshing trait in Harrison Armstrong
Moyes had strongly considered sending Armstrong back to Preston North End, with whom he was on loan in the first half of the season.
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But the academy graduate impressed so much after being recalled, he has now been retained by the club, in a blow to Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom.
We will see how much involvement he has between now and the end of the season. But one would imagine he’ll get a decent amount of chances for Moyes to have kept him.
Harrison Armstrong gives instructions to Merlin Rohl.
Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images
Armstrong is the subject of Michael Ball’s Liverpool Echo column this week – and the former defender has been struck by the teenager’s authority towards his older teammates.
He said: “At 19, he is still young and has a lot to learn. But he already comes across like such an experienced player – he appears to understand the game and, importantly, is composed, he plays with a level head.
“Another feature I have enjoyed watching is his fearlessness regarding the senior players – I have watched him give instructions to his teammates on several occasions and that is a big thing for a young player to have the confidence to step onto that pitch as an equal with those around you.”
Armstrong is destined to be a top Premier League player
Moyes keeping hold of Armstrong is brilliant to see, if a little surprising.
It would have been easy for the manager to send him back to Preston, where he would have started every single game until the end of the season.
But clearly, Moyes feels there is now more value in him staying.
One would imagine Moyes would not have taken that decision, had he not planned to give him plenty of minutes. We’ve all heard how keen he’s been to send him back out on loan.
Harrison Armstrong playing for Everton.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Seemingly the Everton manager has become impressed enough by Armstrong in these last few games to want to keep him. And it’s now on Armstrong to kick on again.
It’s a very exciting situation. Armstrong has really not looked out of place in the Premier League, and he will only improve the more time he spends with the first-team and out on the pitch.
Quite possibly, Everton have a top Premier League player in the making on their hands.
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