Everton have seen a number of top players graduate from their academy.
Wayne Rooney is of course the most notable example whilst Jarrad Branthwaite is flying that flag at the moment having polished his skill set with the under-21s following a £1m switch from Carlisle United.
The Toffees are hopeful Roman Dixon will be a future first-teamer and he has already made his senior debut this term.
Dixon produced a very impressive showing against Tottenham Hotspur back in August in place of the injured Seamus Coleman.
But there’s one academy star who’s making the most noise of anyone and Conor Coady has backed him to have a really big future at Everton.
Conor Coady certain Harrison Armstrong has a massive future
Coady, speaking on the Still Ryan podcast, revealed that he coached Harrison Armstrong when he was doing his coaching badges at Everton a couple of years ago.
At the time, Armstrong was playing for the under-16s and Coady could tell straight away that he was going to be a top player.
“I coached Harrison Armstrong which was mad and he’s now playing in the first team,” the now Leicester defender said.
“He was in the 16s obviously at the time and we were doing his team and listen, we knew then he was a good player.”
Harrison Armstrong given big break at Derby County
Late on in the window, Everton made the decision to send 18-year-old Armstrong on loan to Championship outfit Derby County.
Moyes told Armstrong to ‘go and enjoy yourself’ as he looks to help Derby retain their second-tier status under Paul Warne.
It’s a big step for a player who’s only recently celebrated their 18th birthday, but it evinces just how highly rated he is around Finch Farm and evidently by Derby.
Everton will be keeping close tabs on how he fares.
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