Jack Harrison has opened up on his efforts to turn around a tough season and revealed his desire to be part of Everton’s bright new future
Jack Harrison wants to convince Everton to make him a part of the club’s future. The winger is in his second consecutive loan spell with the Blues and is one of more than a dozen senior players whose futures will warrant discussion over the final two months of the season.
He has endured a tough campaign to date but believes his performances are improving and harbours an ambition to help the club progress over the years to come.
Harrison was a key figure for Everton last season, becoming one of Sean Dyche’s most trusted players after the club exploited a clause in his contract that meant they could sign him from Leeds United following that side’s relegation to the Championship.
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After the club’s play-off final defeat to Southampton last summer, director of football Kevin Thelwell triggered the same option to secure his return.
This season has been a tough one, however, and the 28-year-old eventually lost his starting spot to Jesper Lindstrom and, to date, has just one goal and is yet to register an assist.
Reflecting on the past seven months in an interview with club media, he said: “On a personal level it’s been difficult and frustrating so far this season because I always want to be at my best and when you’re doing absolutely everything you can but it’s still not coming off, that can be really frustrating for everyone, myself and the fans… It’s been the first period of my career, really, where I’ve not really been scoring any goals or contributing to the team as much as I’m used to doing.
“So I’ve been trying to understand those frustrations and trying to do something about it in different ways. I’m the type of player to always keep fighting, always keep trying to find ways to navigate through tough situations, and, ultimately, I know I’ll come out on the other side.”
David Moyes was a fan of Harrison before his return to Goodison Park in January but found a player bereft of confidence. One of his behind-the-scenes projects has been to try and pick Harrison up, something that was clear in training drills when the squad went to a training camp in Abu Dhabi last month.
It has worked. Helped by injuries to the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil, Harrison has started to get more minutes and grabbed his first goal of the season in the draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the first game after the trip to the Gulf.
Harrison said: “I came out of the team and I just needed to take a step back and think, OK, what do I really need to do to get back in the team at this point? And then, it’s unfortunate, but we’ve had a lot of injuries, which has given me the opportunity to play again, and I’ve just tried to take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it.
“I know there’s still a long way I can go. I think the manager has offered a bit more detail in terms of what he wants from players, so it’s good to get some of that clarity. I’m feeling in a good moment and a lot of it is down to the manager while some of it is myself doing some things off the pitch and then teammates as well.”
One boost has been the arrival of loanee Carlos Alcaraz. The 22-year-old has injected fresh energy into the dressing room and, with Harrison one of few at the club with an understanding of Spanish through his Costa Rican partner, he has been able to support the attacking midfielder in his efforts to settle.
Harrison has also worked hard to strengthen through mindfulness, turning to meditation and keeping a gratitude notebook. “It’s like everyone, life has its ups and downs and it’s important to do what you can to navigate through those tough times”, he said. “I found these things helped me get back to a better version of myself.”
He feels this is helping him build himself back up and is starting to gain more confidence on the pitch, a belief strengthened by the extra minutes Moyes is trusting him with.
Harrison’s loan deal contains no option to make the move permanent but having spent two years away from Elland Road there is an expectation his parent club would be willing to strike a deal regardless of whether they earn promotion from the Championship this season, which they are on course to do. Other clubs are monitoring his availability, including in the MLS.
Moyes has challenged Harrison – and fellow loanee winger Jesper Lindstrom – to deliver more goals and assists if they want to be considered for permanent moves during a summer of upheaval at Everton.
The former New York City star, who was twice called up for England’s Under-21s while playing in the USA, has his sights set on that and more.
He said: “I always have confidence in my ability, so it’s just being able to show it and being able to put it on the pitch. When it comes to belief in myself, I know I can achieve a lot more. I have a lot of ambitions, even now. Some people might say, you’re maybe getting on a bit in your career, or something, but I still have a goal, I’ve always had, that is to get into the England squad and be part of a top team in the Premier League, and hopefully I can do that with Everton.
“I think with new ownership, new manager, and going to an amazing new stadium next season, this is somewhere I want to be. It would be exciting to be part of a bigger picture and help a club get from where we have been for the past couple of years to fighting for European football again, and then even more in the way of silverware.
“With the size of Everton and this fan base, with how passionate they are, there’s no reason why the club can’t achieve that, and who wouldn’t want to be part of it?”
