Liverpool’s young talent, Harvey Elliott, has shared a touching episode from his football journey, recounting a moment when he felt his aspirations were dashed.
Reflecting on the challenges he encountered as a budding player, Elliott recalled his rejection from Chelsea’s youth setup—an obstacle he tirelessly worked to surmount, ultimately defying expectations and achieving a significant milestone in his career at Liverpool.
Having recently marked his 100th appearance for Liverpool—a feat that places him as the fourth-youngest player in the club’s history to reach this landmark—Elliott candidly discussed his early trials as part of Liverpool’s The Reds Roundtable series.
The 21-year-old midfielder’s path to triumph has been marked by adversity and perseverance.
Harvey Elliott, ReleASED by Chelsea for Being ‘Too Small’.
Joined by manager Jurgen Klopp, academy director Alex Inglethorpe, and teammate Cody Gakpo, Elliott delved into the challenges he encountered during his early years as a player.
Recounting his time at Chelsea “as a kid”, Elliott revealed, “I was released by Chelsea because they said I was too small.”
The rejection left him devastated, believing his football dreams were finished,” he explained.
At just 11 or 12, after being let go by the West London club, Elliott began playing in local leagues alongside his friends.
Despite being told he didn’t have the necessary physical presence, Elliott’s father, Scott, played a crucial role in his son’s growth, instituting rigorous training regimens to improve his physical abilities.
“My dad, the whole summer, off-seasons, was like ‘no, you’re running up big hills’,” Elliott said.
It was at that moment that things changed for the then-teenager.
“I was at Fulham, like a pre-academy thing, like you go sometimes, once a week, twice a week, to train, but I didn’t really enjoy it. But then Fulham contacted my father and said ‘look, I hear he hasn’t got a club. Does he want to come for a trial?'”
Then, the rest is history.
“I went for a trial at Fulham when I was 13 and then [was there] up until 16 when I left.”
Elliott made history during that period as the club’s youngest-ever first-team player, and he also became the youngest to ever grace the League Cup at the age of just 15 years and 174 days during his debut.
Elliott, a Key Player for Klopp
Despite facing early challenges, Elliott’s skill and resolve have blossomed on the field, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure for Liverpool, boasting 51 appearances this season, second only to Darwin Nunez’s 52.
As Elliott consistently excels within Jurgen Klopp’s team, it’s clear that Liverpool has benefited greatly from Chelsea’s oversight.
Despite initial doubts about his stature for Stamford Bridge, the 5 ft 7 in midfielder’s journey to success is ongoing, promising even more achievements under the leadership of Arne Slot.
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