Liverpool are About to Sell £40m Star ‘Very Similar’ to Phil Foden | OneFootball

Harvey Elliott’s Next Step: Phil Foden Parallels and a Liverpool Dilemma

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has rediscovered his sharpest form on the international scene, delivering standout performances at the Under-21s World Cup for England. Often seen as a player caught between potential and opportunity, Elliott is now reminding everyone of the talent that saw him arrive at Anfield as a precocious teenager from Fulham.

Despite limited minutes last season under Arne Slot, the 22-year-old has thrived on the global stage. The Liverpool boss prioritised players like Dominik Szoboszlai in his Premier League-winning campaign, leaving Elliott with a peripheral role and facing a £40million exit. However, former Liverpool and England midfielder Joe Cole sees something special.

“He left Fulham as a young man. His learning has been spread out, very similar to [Phil] Foden where he was used sparingly over a longer period of time, there is more to come from him,” Cole said, drawing comparisons with Manchester City’s playmaker.

Photo: IMAGO

Foden Comparisons and Development Curve

Cole’s reference to Phil Foden is significant. Foden, once eased gradually into Pep Guardiola’s plans at Manchester City, matured through managed exposure. Elliott’s path has not mirrored Foden’s exactly, but the foundation of patience, positional flexibility and European tournament pedigree is increasingly similar.

Elliott has been used both centrally and on the right, and though he prefers a more advanced midfield role, his versatility has both helped and hindered his progress. The challenge now is whether Liverpool can offer the game time necessary for him to kick on.

“Performing like he has done at this tournament, I think there will be teams all around Europe looking for Harvey Elliott agent’s number and thinking maybe he’s right for them,” Cole added.

Liverpool’s Midfield Logjam

Statistically, Elliott’s contribution in 2024–25 (28 games, 5 goals, 3 assists) was solid but modest compared to Szoboszlai (49 games, 8 goals, 9 assists) and new signing Florian Wirtz (45 games, 16 goals, 15 assists). These numbers reveal the scale of the challenge facing Elliott in breaking into a stacked Liverpool midfield.

If Liverpool are to remain at the summit under Slot, tough decisions may be necessary. One of them could involve Elliott.

Exit Strategy Could Benefit Everyone

Letting Elliott go, albeit reluctantly, might prove the most pragmatic move for all parties. Liverpool could structure a sale with a buy-back clause, similar to Jarell Quansah’s situation, preserving long-term interest while allowing the player vital game time elsewhere.

“Anyone outside the top six he comfortably walks in and becomes one of the main players and then once he has two years at that level, he can come back to the very top at a club like Liverpool and compete,” said Cole, capturing a vision for Elliott’s future that doesn’t necessarily exclude Anfield.

For now, Liverpool fans will continue to watch Elliott shine with England, knowing his path to Premier League stardom may simply need a temporary detour.