Who is Adam Armstrong? The Championship hotshot wanted by West Ham and Newcastle

Paul Macdonald

Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
6 min read

Who is Adam Armstrong? The Championship hotshot wanted by West Ham and Newcastle — © ProShots

Newcastle United have a proud history of strikers, and those who are born and bred locally have even more of an edge in the popularity stakes.

But not every young Geordie can follow in the footsteps of Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn. Adam Armstrong is an academy product who was forced to look elsewhere for opportunities, but he’s been taking life in his stride at Blackburn Rovers ever since he swapped Tyneside for Lancashire in 2017.

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What position does Adam Armstrong play in?

Armstrong is a central striker, but thanks to his 5 ft 6 frame and low centre of gravity, he can play out wide or in a deeper role, too.

His finishing ability is his main strength and he loves to use his pace to play off the shoulder and get in behind defenders.
He can also play with a partner and thrives with players around him to link up with and who also supply him with the service he needs.

How good is Adam Armstrong?

The 24-year-old is earning rave reviews both inside and out of Ewood Park. There are plenty of clubs keen on him and he is keen to play in the Premier League again some day, too. He has 16 Championship goals so far this term but is currently injured.

He is so dynamic and can really impact the intensity of his team’s play, but he needs to be in a team which creates plenty of chances and plays attacking football. Although his pace makes him a good player for a counter attacking team, as a main striker, he won’t win many aerial duels if he is isolated.

Mowbray lauded his star man last year, via FourFourTwo.

“Adam does (make a difference) as he has done all season. I think Adam has matured and he’s only 23,” he said.

“He’s a boy really, but his explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways, to not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like (Harvey) Elliott to play the pass that he can hit just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong – it’s a devastating effect for the team.

“Teams see that and they are aware of it and don’t over-commit men forward which allows you to potentially work on trying to keep the ball out of your net, allows you to build the ball up in their half so they find it difficult to get near your goal.”

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Adam Armstrong’s stats for Blackburn Rovers

Games	144
Goals	49
Assists	13

Which clubs are interested in Armstrong?

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle have been linked with a deal to re-sign Armstrong. The Sun, meanwhile, say Brighton and West Ham are keen on the player.