Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong has enjoyed a bright start to life at Preston North End.
He has quickly become a fan-favourite and a bundle of energy in the Championship side’s midfield after only a couple of months.
Last Friday’s 3-2 comeback win against Sheffield United encapsulated exactly why supporters across Lancashire have grown so fond of the 18-year-old.
Armstrong received the Man of the Match award despite not registering a goal or assist – a testament to his influence and work rate on the pitch.
Work rate and impact
Tallying seven defensive contributions and five recoveries, Armstrong’s impressive energy and ability to propel the midfield were highlighted on social media, adding to the praise he earned for his performance against Birmingham City in a narrow 1-0 loss.
Had dreams last night of a midfield masterclass but turns out it actually happened.
Harrison Armstrong was the @epicpgc man of the match. 🌟#pnefc pic.twitter.com/MdBpnFBZyu
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) October 25, 2025
At first glance, Armstrong isn’t lighting up the stats sheet with attacking returns, but that misses the bigger picture. Deployed as a central midfielder he performs much of the unglamorous work that allows his teammates to shine.
Glowing reviews from supporters and personnel around Preston and Merseyside further emphasise his impact.
Chloe Reynolds, an Evertonian from Preston said: “He’s been that breath of fresh air that Preston have needed, he’s quick and determined on the ball, he’s not afraid to go into challenges and tough tackles, so although he’s yet to score at Deepdale he’s been incredibly valuable for Paul Heckingbottom.”
Everton manager David Moyes has also noticed Armstrong’s performances.
Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, he said: “It looks as though he is playing well, and he’s still got more to do, we’d always look for more, but there’s not that many 18-year-olds who do the physicality and the continuation of the amount of games they play.
“That will do Harrison no harm to be put through the ringer a little bit. He’s at a good level, but he’s still developing for us, and we’ve still got to develop him into a Premier League player.”
Everton’s youth pathways
Everton has a proud history of developing young players through its academy, guiding them into the first team or using strategic loan spells to gain senior experience. Wayne Rooney is one of the most famous examples, breaking through from the academy to become a Premier League legend.
Jarrad Braintwaite is a recent example of this pathway in action.
The centre back spent a season on loan at Blackburn Rovers in 2020/21, making 10 appearances, registering 2.30 tackles per 90, 2.30 interceptions per 90 (statistics from Fotmob) and helping solidify the team defensively. He then joined PSV Eindhoven in 2022, where his performances in the Eredivisie impressed Everton enough to integrate him into the first-team squad for the 2023/24 season.
Armstrong’s current loan spell at Preston and his previous spell at Derby County mirrors this pathway. Playing as a central midfielder, he is gaining crucial first-team experience while developing the physical and tactical qualities necessary for top flight football.
The importance of versatility
Armstrong’s versatility strengthens his case for a potential Everton recall. His box-to-box energy, along with the ability to slot in at right midfield or defensive midfield could be invaluable to David Moyes, especially with rumours of Illiman Ndiaye’s departure and uncertainty over Jack Grealish after his loan spell.
The Englishman demonstrated this adaptability during Everton’s Carabao Cup fixture against Mansfield Town this August. Thriving on the right wing, he assisted both goals in a 2-0 win, earning Man of the Match honours above several senior Premier League players.
Showing promise across multiples positions and consistently impressing in the Championship, Armstrong has an exciting future ahead. Could next season be the one where he makes his mark into the Premier League?
