Everton had to upset Preston back in January when David Moyes recalled Harrison Armstrong.
The loss of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations led Everton to recall the 19-year-old from his loan spell at Deepdale, where he made 13 Championship starts in the first half of the campaign.
Preston wanted Armstrong back once Ndiaye and Gueye returned, but the Toffees opted to keep the teenager after he delivered some impressive performances.
However, David Moyes can say sorry to his former side for the Harrison Armstrong situation by sending the precocious Braiden Graham to Deepdale this summer.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
Everton should loan Braiden Graham to Preston
The Northern Ireland U19 international has been a revelation for Everton this season, netting 17 goals in 24 games as he makes life look simple in the U21 side.
Academy football seems too easy for the Irishman, and with Moyes admitting Graham needs to bulk up physically, what better way to help than to have him tackle the trials and tribulations of a rigorous Championship campaign next season – should Preston not go up, that is.
The 18-year-old seems capable of playing some minutes in the Premier League right now in terms of his technical ability, with his finishing even leading Armstrong to compare the teenager to Ronaldo after a recent strike against Ipswich in the FA Youth Cup.
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All that seems to be missing is a bit of muscle on the boy born in Ballygowan, but that would surely come with 46 gruelling games in the Championship – a division many regard as being more physical than the Premier League.
Everton should consider a double deal with Preston involving Demi Akarakiri
While there is plenty of room for improvement in the senior side, the academy is currently full of top talents.
Not only do Everton have the prolific Graham, but a hugely exciting attacking midfielder is also at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Demi Akarakiri.
The former Arsenal man already possesses the physical prowess Graham lacks at the age of just 17 and can boast strong passing skills too.
Neither Graham nor Akarakiri have ever been sent out on loan too, so it may benefit the pair to head to Preston together and keep each other company.
What is the best next step for Harrison Armstrong after his recall? 🤩
David Moyes on returning Harrison Armstrong to Preston North End.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport.
If they can start to fulfil their immense potential at Deepdale and help Preston, Paul Heckingbottom will forget all about the fact Everton recalled Armstrong.
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