Why should Tottenham sign Fulham academy graduate with only 371 minutes of PL football last season? – Opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are entering a new era with Thomas Frank taking charge of the proceedings at N17, and the Dane head coach is looking to continue the youth project that Daniel Levy took up under Ange Postecoglou, but then the pair are looking to bring in players who are capable of thriving in a system-first structure, and this is where the North Londoners can take advantage of Harvey Elliott and his situation at Liverpool, given the prospect of bringing him to Hotspur Way is interesting…

We saw it across the recently concluded campaign that the North Londoners’ midfield had been a big cause, especially when it came to creative aspects of things, given how James Maddison was struggling to bring in consistency and Ange Postecoglou had to play Dejan Kulusevski through the middle every now and then.

And now as the Danish head coach takes charge of the proceedings at Tottenham, he will be looking to bring in tactically flexible players who are capable of playing in a system-first framework, and this is where Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is a rare opportunity. Given how he has proved his credentials in the Premier League, complemented by showcasing that he has a high ceiling alongside that positional versatility and technical flair when operating in the half spaces, the Fulham academy graduate can grow into an apt maestro under the right manager.

And given that his future with the Reds is uncertain as opportunities are coming by thin under Arne Slot, Tottenham have an opportunity to get a player that can fill in multiple gaps in the roster at Hotspur Way whilst having that capability to grow into a long-term first-team regular at N17.

Jamie O’Hara suggests Elliott

The former Tottenham midfielder has urged the club to secure his signature, and he also went on to compare the Fulham academy graduate, who played only 371 minutes of Premier League football under Arne Slot last season, with the North London ace Kulusevski.

Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Hara said:

“I would have him at Tottenham, 100 per cent. He would play on the right and compete with Brennan Johnson. Kulusevski is quite a similar player to him, but I think Harvey Elliott has something about him. He can play as a number 10, he can play in different areas, he can play in midfield. I like Harvey Elliott. There’s a lot to like.”

What are the attributes that Harvey Elliott brings at N17?

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder cum right winger is a versatile profile who is always thinking about attack first, and given that he is known for his technical proficiency, vision and creative abilities (as we have seen open up a compact of blocks with one pass or one carry with Liverpool), he could end up resolving the creative problems that the North Londoners have had of late.

The fact that he can operate on both sides of a (#6) makes him an interesting option.

The Fulham academy graduate is excellent at progressing the ball, be it with passes or through carries. Nevertheless, he always brings forward momentum in the game.

Moreover, he possesses a keen eye for passes and is really good at finding his teammates between the lines. Moreover, what Elliott is underrated for is his defensive work rate, given that he brings high energy levels and contributes defensively when required.

He’s also really good at pressing from the middle of the park. Elliott has strong ball control and dribbling abilities, which help him come through the tight spaces and help him maintain possession even under pressure.

Why Elliott fits Thomas Frank’s Lilywhites (Strengths)

One of the things that Thomas Frank highlighted during his time at Gtech Community Stadium was his ability to develop technically gifted players with high IQs who can adapt to a few zonal roles, and this is something that turns out during Harvey Elliott perfectly.

See, the thing is (as I mentioned above), he is not just a right winger; he can play as a right-sided central midfielder, a number 10, and even in wide zones depending on the phase of play. And this is what makes him ideal to play in the hybrid 4-3-3/3-5-2 system under Thomas Frank, given how his midfielders often end up rotating to fill space and support the press.

And when it comes to being a profile that gives you a sense of ball retention in tight spaces and has that ability with transitional play, which can make him an integral part at N17 where the North Londoners are trying to make a vertical passing structure and trying to break lines more consistently under the incoming head coach.

And moreover, given how he is quite press resistant and knows how to manipulate space, he can become a real asset in the structured framework of Frank.

Weaknesses

He is not your elite ball-winning midfielder, and he generally needs players around him to capitalise on his pressing, so you’d need to pair him with a ball-winning pivot who understands space and channels of passes. Moreover, at 22, he would come in wanting consistent game time under his belt, and given that Tottenham already have Maddison, Bergvall and Kulusevski, it would be difficult to commit those minutes.

And then it would be difficult to sit down with the Reds and negotiate a possible transfer, especially given how the Merseysiders wouldn’t want to sell to direct rivals.

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Author Opinion

Given his potential, I do think that Daniel Levy should be seriously exploring the possibility of signing Harvey Elliott. Moreover, he does have that potential and ability that would allow him to become an integral part of the roster under Frank. And without Liverpool willing to offer him a key role at Anfield, the Lilywhites can give Elliott the stage to grow into the player many had predicted him to become. And by doing so, Levy and Tottenham can quietly acquire a Premier League-proven gem from a direct rival.