Aye but football has changed over the last few years. Someone, maybe
@Modo
I'm not sure what more I can say on the matter.
For me, when it comes to Harvey, it's simple.
Harvey unfortunately doesn't possess the body to fully utilise his talent.
So the question is, is it worth it?
Context:
What's the one physical attribute that Kante, Verratti, and Shaqiri have that Elliott doesn't have?
Pace.
Yes, Shaqiri was quick when he was younger. Don't believe me? Check YouTube for his old Basel clips.
These players, who share the same height and maybe body as Harvey, mask their slight stature with another physical attribute.
When Shaq lost his pace, he compensated with strength—unfortunately, another attribute Elliott is lacking.
Obviously, pace wasn't the only thing. Verratti and Kante were very agile as well.
Maybe it's unfair of me to compare him to top-class players. How about Joe Allen?
Same height, same size, same island.
Had a decent PL career, but it didn't quite work out for him at LFC.
What did Joe have that Harvey lacks?
Again, we're back to pace or agility or tenacity. My point is, despite being an average player, Allen could really move and win duels in midfield. That gave him a decent PL career.
Now remember, my claim was that "Harvey doesn't possess the body to fully utilise his talent."
I'm not having a go at him, I'm actually calling him talented. I've always thought he was. You'd be blind if you couldn't see the talent the kid possesses.
He's a playmaker, plain and simple. He's intelligent, he can read the game, and he can, to some extent, dictate play. That's why he looks so good when he comes on as a sub. Imagine how good he'd be if he could combine this with the physical attributes those other players have.
For Harvey to utilise his talent, without suddenly becoming quick, he has to play quicker. He can't allow players to get near him, just like Iniesta or Zola. Unfortunately, these two were maestros on the ball.
So let's circle back to the question I asked initially. Is it worth it?
There are other talented players out there, who could possibly have a higher ceiling than him.
So is it worth keeping him for what we realistically are going to get?
Can you, for instance, imagine Harvey doing what Gibbs-White is doing for Forest in the future?
I'm not talking about the elite of the elites here.
I alluded to it before, but we have let go of young PL level players before, like Neco and Wilson.
Harvey is more talented than both of them, but unfortunately, I just don't see him reaching the levels a player playing for a team like LFC needs to reach.