Everton Manager Faces Loan Dilemma For Rising Star Harrison Armstrong

Everton’s young midfielder Harrison Armstrong finds himself at a pivotal juncture in his burgeoning football career, with manager David Moyes openly weighing the pros and cons of keeping the 19-year-old at Goodison Park or sending him back on loan to Preston North End. The debate has ignited passionate discussions among fans and pundits alike, as Armstrong’s recent performances have thrust him into the limelight and made his future a subject of intense scrutiny.

Armstrong’s journey this season has been nothing short of eventful. Sent on a season-long loan to Preston North End in the summer of 2025, the England youth international was expected to hone his craft in the Championship under the guidance of Paul Heckingbottom. His spell at Deepdale proved fruitful, with Armstrong becoming a first-team regular and racking up 17 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist, a 59.3% duel win rate, and averaging 1.43 tackles per 90 minutes. Those numbers, while not eye-popping, reflect a midfielder growing in confidence and adapting to the rigors of senior football.

Yet, the football gods had other plans for Armstrong. Everton’s mounting injury crisis at the turn of 2026 forced Moyes to recall the teenager earlier than planned. The Toffees were stretched thin, with key players like Jack Grealish sidelined for months and others such as Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Armstrong was thrust into the first-team fray, and he did not disappoint.

In his first two starts since returning to Merseyside, Armstrong featured in the FA Cup defeat to Sunderland on January 11, 2026, and then delivered what Moyes described as his “best game for us” in Everton’s stunning 1-0 Premier League victory against title-chasing Aston Villa on January 18, 2026. Reflecting on the Villa match, Moyes told reporters, “Harrison had his best game for us. I thought that he had an impact in the game which he hadn’t had really in the other games, but neither did the team, because we hadn’t performed. We played better against Aston Villa than we had in the other games but I was impressed by Harrison, he did well.”

Such praise from a seasoned manager like Moyes isn’t handed out lightly. Armstrong’s ability to step up when called upon, especially in high-pressure fixtures, has not gone unnoticed. However, as Everton’s squad begins to recover—with Gueye and Ndiaye back from international duty, and the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carlos Alcaraz, Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, and Michael Keane all set to return from injury or suspension—the competition for midfield spots is about to get fierce. Merlin Rohl, another summer signing, has also started to find his feet, further crowding the midfield ranks.

Moyes now faces a classic managerial dilemma: does he keep Armstrong at Everton, where opportunities may become scarce, or send him back to Preston, where he’s likely to play regularly and continue his development? According to Moyes, the answer hinges on what’s best for the player’s growth. “We’ve got to watch that we don’t make the wrong decision because we are saying ‘let’s have him around here’. I don’t really want him sitting on the bench for me when I think he could be playing,” Moyes said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo. He added, “I think the big thing for me is Harrison [might] get a chance to probably play another 20 games for a club that are probably going to be in the play-offs in the Championship. That for a 19-year-old is really, really big and important. If you look at the player’s development, we’ve got to watch that we don’t make the wrong decision.”

Paul Heckingbottom, Armstrong’s manager at Preston, has made no secret of his desire to see the midfielder return to Deepdale for the remainder of the season. With Preston pushing for a spot in the Championship play-offs, Armstrong’s presence could prove vital. For Armstrong, the prospect of 20 more competitive matches in a promotion-chasing side offers a tantalizing opportunity to further develop his skills and gain invaluable experience.

The situation is made all the more complex by Everton’s own predicament. The Toffees are still reeling from an injury crisis that has left them light in several areas of the pitch. Jack Grealish’s long-term absence is a major blow, and with no new signings on the horizon, sending Armstrong away could leave Moyes with limited options should injuries strike again. Some supporters have voiced their concerns, arguing that loaning out a promising young midfielder during such a critical period could come back to haunt the club.

Despite the controversy, Moyes appears resolute in his approach, prioritizing Armstrong’s long-term development over short-term squad needs. “We have to be careful not to make the wrong decision by keeping him here if he isn’t playing,” Moyes emphasized. The manager’s candor has been refreshing, but it has also left the door open for debate among Everton’s faithful, who are eager to see their academy products thrive at the highest level.

Armstrong’s own performances have certainly strengthened his case for more playing time, whether at Everton or elsewhere. His composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and willingness to battle in midfield have drawn plaudits from teammates and coaches alike. Yet, as Moyes has repeatedly stressed, nothing is more crucial for a young player’s growth than regular minutes on the pitch—a luxury that may not be available at Everton once the squad is at full strength.

With Everton set to host Leeds United in a crucial Premier League clash, the timing of Moyes’ decision looms large. Armstrong’s future could be decided in the coming days, with both Everton and Preston eager for clarity. For now, the teenager remains focused on his football, letting his performances do the talking as the club’s hierarchy weighs up the best path forward.

One thing is certain: whatever decision is made, it will have significant implications not just for Armstrong, but for Everton’s season as a whole. The balance between nurturing young talent and meeting the immediate demands of Premier League survival is a delicate one—something Moyes knows all too well.

As the transfer window edges toward its close, all eyes will be on Goodison Park to see whether Armstrong stays to fight for his place or heads back to Preston for another chapter in his already eventful career. Either way, the next few weeks promise to be decisive for one of England’s brightest young midfielders and the club that holds his future in their hands.