Derby County struck gold with PL transfer - Rams should push Everton for summer deal | OneFootball

The midfielder has been crucial to the Rams' recent success, and they must seek to renew his loan in the summer.

The fight for Championship survival has started to heat up in March, with a three-game week completely changing the picture of who may stay in the second tier and who looks to be on a one-way track to League One.

Derby County looked as though they were heading for an immediate return to the third tier after winning promotion back in April 2024, but three wins from three has seen hope renewed for John Eustace's side.

The Rams saw themselves past play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City at Pride Park Stadium before making the long journey to Home Park where they overcame bottom of the table Plymouth Argyle, with Marcus Harness scoring his third goal in two matches to secure a late but great 3-2 victory in Devon.

Also on the scoresheet at the weekend was Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong, with his performances during this excellent run making him a standout, and comparisons will be drawn to Leon Osman and the role he played for Derby 21 years ago in another relegation battle.

Derby County must seek to bring Harrison Armstrong back on loan next season from Everton

While Osman returned to the Toffees and never put the Ram on his chest again, Eustace must look to rewrite history with his own loanee from the blue side of Liverpool and bring Armstrong back to DE24 next season.

Not much was known about the 18-year-old when he arrived at the club on deadline day in February, but after a quiet start, he has finally made his mark on the team and is one of the first names in the starting XI now.

Operating next to Ebou Adams and Liam Thompson, Derby finally have the balance in midfield that they have been lacking so greatly throughout the course of 2024/25, and his ability to break up play and start attacks quickly makes him a formidable opponent for many in the Championship.

Armstrong looks to be the real deal in black-and-white, and he has now shown that he has an eye for goal, finding the back of the net with a stunning side-footed volley to hand his side a 2-0 lead against Plymouth.

The teenager is playing beyond his years, but there will be questions over whether he can make the step-up to the Premier League straight away next season, and if Derby stay in the Championship, they must push to bring him back in for another campaign.

Harrison Armstrong could be a part of David Moyes' plans for next season - that could scupper Derby County return

As the old adage goes, you must never fall in love with a loan player, but that is exactly what has happened to Rams supporters with Armstrong and there will be a huge desire to see him return in the summer.

However, if he has a strong pre-season with Everton, David Moyes may look to throw him in at the deep-end in the Premier League as the Toffees swap Goodison Park for Bramley-Moore Dock.

While it is a huge jump for a player so young, he plays with a maturity that is not often seen by those playing in the Championship at his age and the likes of Harry Wilson, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount have all proven in the past with Derby that they have the quality to make that leap.

Nevertheless, there will only be one destination that Eustace will want his teenage sensation to be at once the new season starts, and he will surely be pushing for a move if his team secure their second tier status.