Derby County urged to keep midfielder as he is told to avoid "silly" Blackburn Rovers move | OneFootball

At only 18 the Everton loanee was chucked straight into a relegation battle - and is thriving at Derby County

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County have been called upon to retain the services of Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong for next season.

But even if the Rams do not succeed in securing another loan deal for the 18-year-old, it has been claimed that Blackburn Rovers would be a backwards step for Armstrong’s development.

That claim follows news that Rovers are keen to bring Armstrong to Ewood Park next season, potentially having the advantage of being able to offer Championship football if Derby fail in their survival bid.

Harrison Armstrong would be “silly” to join Blackburn Rovers on loan

After making his Premier League debut earlier this campaign, Harrison Armstrong went on to rack up six senior appearances in the first half of the campaign for Everton.

In January it was decided for the teenager to take the next steps in his development, with the midfielder lent to Championship strugglers Derby County.

After initially starting life as a Ram coming off the bench, Armstrong has now started eight consecutive games, playing the full 90 minutes in his last six appearances.

Despite being 18 and having only made his senior debut this season, Armstrong has established himself as a key figure in a Derby side fighting for their Championship survival.

Football League World's resident Rams fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, believes that the midfielder is “loving his football” at Pride Park, and is hopeful of seeing Armstrong on loan at Derby next season – if County avoid relegation.

But Derby’s desire to keep Armstrong amongst their squad for next season might not be enough to secure another loan, with fellow Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers reportedly interested in the midfielder’s services.

However, Shaun believes that Blackburn would not provide the right environment for Armstrong’s development.

He told Football League World: “Harrison Armstrong is thriving right now under John Eustace, and he's loving his football.

“He's loved by the fans as well.

“I think the only chance Blackburn would have of getting him was if we did go down, and even then I think he'd be silly to go to a club like Blackburn, who on the surface right now may be higher in the league table than Derby, but their run of results have been terrible under the new manager.

“The fans are not happy - it wouldn't be a great place to be playing.

“I think if Derby do go down, he obviously needs to be playing at least Championship football, so I think that there’ll be a lot of better suitors out there than Blackburn.

“I think they'd be very lucky to get a player like him, but hopefully Derby stay up and he stays with us, because like I say he's loved by the fans.”

Harrison Armstrong’s development best-served by remaining at Derby County

Shaun went on to stress how Armstrong has quickly settled into life at Derby County, with the teenager forming a strong partnership with Ebou Adams and Liam Thompson.

Football League World's Derby fan pundit believes that Armstrong would benefit from another loan spell with the Rams next season, whilst admitting that would require County to avoid relegation.

“He's really slotted into that midfield and he's just been amazing for us,” Shaun restarted.

“He's really complimented Adams and Thompson, who ever has played alongside him.

“So I think for his development, I think if we stay up, then it would be great to get him for another year.

“I don't think Blackburn have a hope in hell (of signing him), to be totally honest.”