Harrison Armstrong is now fighting for his short-term future at Everton as a return to Preston North End has not been ruled out.
David Moyes was forced into making the decision to recall Armstrong from his season-long loan deal at Deepdale, but it may already be proving the correct decision.
The decision to recall the 18-year-old midfielder comes amid Everton’s current injury issues piled on top of Idrissa Gana Gueye’s absence due to AFCON.
Despite the draw on Wednesday evening, Moyes was quietly impressed with Armstrong in what was his first Premier League start for the club.
An interesting decision lies ahead for Moyes as to whether he is going to return the midfielder to Preston for the remainder of the season.
Something that Armstrong has now said should worry Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall despite his excellent start on Merseyside.
Harrison Armstrong informs Everton of his preferred position
Armstrong really impressed for Everton against Wolves after being thrown into a midfield three alongside James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam.
Wednesday evening was the youngster’s opportunity to really show Everton just what he had to offer, and he did exactly that.
Speaking to the Everton website after the game, Armstrong shared exactly where he likes to play in the midfield.
How did you think Harrison Armstrong played vs Wolves? 🧐
“I think different positions, different formations and different styles can suit me at times. I can be effective going forward but I can also be effective defensively, as well,” he said.
“I think it just depends how the game goes. I can adapt and I do like to do a little bit of both attacking and defending, so [I’m] maybe like a box-to-box but I’m happy to go wide or maybe stay forward a little bit more. Or even as a six, I feel like I’m quite comfortable [there because] I played a lot at Derby.
“I’d say I’m quite versatile and I’ve got different varieties in my game that I can give and that can be effective at times.”
Armstrong has impressed Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom, who must now be fearing not being able to bring the midfielder back to Lancashire.
Heckingbottom may not be the only one who has had some fear injected into them on the back of Armstrong’s recent showing.
Dewsbury-Hall remains injured for Everton on the back of his hamstring issue against Chelsea.
He must now be reading Armstrong’s latest comments with some concern.
Why Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should be worried by Armstrong’s comments
There is no doubting that Dewsbury-Hall has been one of Everton’s best players, and his recent injury will not displace him from the side when he returns.
However, Everton finally have a player in Armstrong who is going to really push the top midfielders at the club for their spots in the side.
Do you go with a two or even David Moyes’ new three-man midfield? 🤩
Do not forget Tim Iroegbunam!
Dewsbury-Hall’s favourite position is as a box-to-box midfielder and that is essentially what Armstrong has also said.
The 27-year-old summer signing has largely played in the number 10 role this season, where he has performed extremely well.
Dewsbury-Hall was offered an opportunity slightly deeper in the weeks before his injury, but that opportunity may not come up again with Armstrong asserting his new role.
By no means does this mean that there is no spot in the starting XI for Dewsbury-Hall when he returns; he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
However, his freedom in the midfield may now be slightly more restricted if Moyes does choose to keep Armstrong around the club beyond this month.
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