Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong has admitted it still feels surreal to have gone from watching Jack Grealish on television to lining up alongside him.
Armstrong has started every Premier League game for Everton this season, while Grealish returned to action behind closed doors on Thursday after missing the last four matches.
A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
A product of the club's academy, the England under-21 international was nearly sold to Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window. However, a backlash from supporters prompted owners The Friedkin Group to pull the plug on the deal.
Reflecting on his rise to the top flight, Armstrong said: "There are moments where you're coming up against players who I've watched since I was young.
"Even playing with players. Not that long ago, I was sat on the couch at home watching Jack (Grealish) in the Champions League.
"To say they're my teammates now is surreal, really. But I think it's a feeling you've got to manage at times – managing the balance of respecting them, but also proving yourself and showing what you're capable of."
Room for Improvement
Although Armstrong is pleased with his start to the campaign, he believes there are areas of his game he must improve, including claiming more goals and assists.
"There's definitely things I can improve on," he told the club website in a Q&A. "I'm happy with where I'm at, but I definitely want to push on.
"I want to improve on goals and assists and influencing games more. I know from playing football since I was young and being here since the age of four or five, I've seen different parts of my game and how I can draw it out more.
"To do that in the best league in the world is difficult, and at times, you've got to respect that you're playing with some of the best players in the world and coming against some of the best opposition.
"But I think there are definitely more levels for me to go to. To do that, I have to do the basics well, but also be myself, take risks and not be too bothered about not getting it right every time."
Moyes' Demanding Approach
Although handed his Premier League debut by Sean Dyche, it is David Moyes who has placed the most faith in Armstrong since returning to the club.
"He gives 100 per cent trust in me," Armstrong said. "I think the fact I've started every Premier League game this season shows that.
"He's someone who has been in the game a long time and has worked with some of the best English players to have come through.
"To have someone like that with so much experience and so much to learn from is really important. The trust he's shown in me, I'm really grateful for."
But Armstrong admits Moyes likes to keep him on his toes, revealing: "Yeah, really demanding. I think sometimes I'll come off and I think I've played better than what he thinks! But it's a good relationship.
"He knows how to get the best out of me, how to push me. Hopefully, we can do really good things. Sometimes that's what you need, isn't it? To keep your feet on the ground and I understand what you need to do to improve.
"I think that's almost part of Everton's DNA – not getting too high and not getting too low. I think it's a club that's very demanding of hard work and staying ground – and he definitely applies that."
