Harvey Elliott (signed on loan)

[rob_bridge]

I don't believe Emery didn't want him, but it's clear now we don't need him. The £35m that was earmarked for him will be better value if it's spent on a striker.

A hybrid striker/reasonable right back cover for Matty would be ideal.

Who can play Keeper or Rush Goalie at a push

[Dante Lavelli]

McGinn and Emi can share a position for the next 3-4 years given how we could rotate them.

Is there a youngster coming through to seamlessly replace them?

[UK Redsox]

If it is the number of games to trigger the deal that's the problem, it would be better all round (especially for the player) if Elliott was recalled by Liverpool in January and sent somewhere else on loan.

[rob_bridge]

If it is the number of games to trigger the deal that's the problem, it would be better all round (especially for the player) if Elliott was recalled by Liverpool in January and sent somewhere else on loan.

Agree there are few teams who would want him - here and abroad.

[Brend'Watkins]

I don't believe Emery didn't want him, but it's clear now we don't need him. The £35m that was earmarked for him will be better value if it's spent on a striker.

A hybrid striker/reasonable right back cover for Matty would be ideal.

Isn’t that covered by Garcia or has he been abducted by Aliens or something?

[eamonn]

I bought the tactical reasons as why he wasn’t featuring until this week, not getting on on Thursday or being in the squad yesterday I’m now fully onboard that we are talking to Liverpool to send him back in January and he was not a signing Unai wanted. 

I was happy when we signed him but also wary that he was a bit part player in a team that was on fire.

Not sure what the rules are if he went back as he played minutes for them and us this season, would that stop them sending him straight back out to say Fulham?

I was happy when we signed him but Buendia seems to have turned into Ortega 1998 World Cup so is amongst key starters. Barkley is bang in form as go to bench option (the last 3 leagues wins he has been brilliant against quality opposition) and other positions he could play are covered by an advanced Youri, Rogers or McGinn.
That's a lot of hardware to get passed at the minute to get a look in.

Software as a Service is where it's at. Harvey needs to pivot his skillset.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Trying to break through into one of the best midfields in the PL was never going to be easy. Right now we have every midfielder from SJM to Ross Barkley playing on top of their game. You get a chance, you need to take it.

[chrisw1]

He hasn't really had a chance, though, that's the point.  And it seems very likely now that he won't get one.

I was pretty pleased when we signed him, but it seems it's going to be a waste of money.

[Hookeysmith]

He hasn't really had a chance, though, that's the point.  And it seems very likely now that he won't get one.

I was pretty pleased when we signed him, but it seems it's going to be a waste of money.

Players have chances every day - in training - to show what they can bring.

I agree with above post - our midfield, both first choice and even 2nd choice line up, is as good as anything in the league at the moment.

I feel he was bought in as the Buendia replacement and either Emi had no offers or did not want to go contributed to the form he is in at the moment. I dont think anyone would shift him at present.

Certainly from what i have seen Elliot seems a tidy, technical player - not the explosive little workhorse that Emi is

[brontebilly]

I think there's every chance he would be shining for us if Buendia hadn't stayed and then hit such a fantastic patch of form.  That was unexpected when we signed him.

My guess is the club have simply decided that, as good as Elliot could be, we can spend the money better elsewhere.  Possibly a lesson learned from the Maatsen signing.

I think if it were just a bedding-in issue, he would be getting at least some minutes in games.

Buendia is playing more on the left though. I'm sure his form has come as a welcome surprise. Barkley playing at 10 has also become an option when he was signed as a 6 really as per his Luton form.

It's Guessand that Elliot has been playing second fiddle to or third now that McGinn is playing more on the right again.

RM- McGinn, Guessand, Rogers or Sancho at a push
LM - Buendia, Rogers, Sancho
10 - Rogers, Buendia, Barkley, Tielemans

[Hookeysmith]

RM- McGinn, Guessand, Rogers or Sancho at a push
LM - Buendia, Rogers, Sancho
10 - Rogers, Buendia, Barkley, Tielemans

Hard to pick him or many other established premier league players over that mix

Unless injured Rogers will play every game so that narrows the odds even more for just 2 places, McGinn you assume the same will play so now it is one from the rest

Tough but great position to be in

[eamonn]

"Explosive little workhorse", what an expression! Need to work it into my Tinder bio somehow...

[kippaxvilla2]

It’s the modern day version of utility player.  See Lillis, M