Everton legend Peter Reid has hailed the club’s decision to retain homegrown midfielder Harrison Armstrong, calling the previous plan to offload the teenager a “strange” move that would have been a mistake for the Blues’ future.
Armstrong, 19, became the subject of intense transfer speculation on August 29 when Nottingham Forest pushed for a £40 million deal. The midfielder was reportedly on the brink of a move to the City Ground, only for the deal to collapse following a personal intervention from owner Dan Friedkin. The u-turn followed significant fan backlash, with supporters threatening to protest if the academy graduate was sold.
Reflecting on the saga, Reid told the ECHO: “Without going into the politics of the club, I thought it was a strange decision to think about letting him go. I’ve seen a lot of potential in Harrison. I watched him when he was at Preston on loan last season and he was a different class in the Championship.”
Armstrong has since solidified his place in manager David Moyes’ side, starting all five Premier League games this term. Reid, a hero of Everton’s glory years in the 1980s, believes local talent remains vital to the club’s identity. “I love seeing the local lads in the side. Evertonians especially can identify with that; they love it,” he added. “Hopefully now, with the decision of Armstrong staying, he can sign a new deal and it can be the start of a new outlook.”
Everton enters the post-international break period unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions, a run that has impressed the former midfielder. Reid reserved special praise for defender Jarrad Branthwaite and youngster Tyler Dibling, noting that the squad’s fighting spirit has been a defining feature of their early-season success. “That shows you the attitude and the desire not to get beat,” Reid said. “If you’ve got that, you’ve got a chance.”
The conversation also turned to the wider landscape of the Premier League, specifically the recent guilty verdict handed to Manchester City regarding 114 breaches of financial rules. Having managed City during his post-playing career, Reid was pragmatic about the consequences facing his former club. “It looks as though City are in trouble,” he stated. “Everton have been there and got punished. The rules are the rules; you’ve got to swallow your pill.”
Outside of club matters, Reid has teamed up with an all-star cast of football ambassadors, including Emile Heskey and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, to promote a new safety app aimed at curbing abuse in stadiums and online. The Football Safety App provides a discreet, 24-hour channel for reporting incidents.
“In the 70s and 80s, it was a bit lively, and I got my fair share of stick,” Reid admitted. “But in a modern world, an app like this is the future. Football should be safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
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