'I'm amazed': Garth Crooks says he still can't believe Chelsea turned down chance to sign Liverpool youngster
07/05/2024 08:55
Garth Crooks has admitted he's 'amazed' Chelsea turned down the chance to sign a current Liverpool midfielder.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have turned a corner over the past week after picking up consecutive Premier League wins.
A 5-0 demolition of West Ham on Sunday leaves the Blues just two points behind sixth-place Newcastle and right in the mix for a European spot.
Much has been made about Chelsea's transfer policy during the Todd Boehly era so far, having spent over £1 billion on transfers with nothing to show for it as of yet. The likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are yet to justify their hefty price tags.
Despite the recent blunders in the transfer market, Garth Crooks still can't believe Chelsea turned down the opportunity to sign a Liverpool player as a youngster.
Crooks 'amazed' Chelsea didn't sign Harvey Elliott
On the back of a standout display against Tottenham on Sunday, Harvey Elliott has earned plenty of plaudits. The 21-year-old netted with a stunning effort from range in a 4-2 win at Anfield.
His display has led to high praise from Crooks, who told BBC Sport he's still 'amazed' Chelsea turned down the midfielder as a youngster.
"Whatever happened last week between Mohamed Salah and Jurgen Klopp on the touchline at West Ham seems to have fired the player up somewhat," the pundit said. "Salah looked as sharp as a razor and keen to prove a point against a Tottenham team that seem to have lost their way.
"At no stage did Spurs look like they were going to get anything out of this match and by the time Harvey Elliott had hit an absolute belter from just outside the box the game was all over. Spurs rallied but it was in vain.
"Elliott has had an excellent season and proved he has a future at Anfield. Not bad for a kid who was turned down at Chelsea because he was too small. I'm amazed football clubs in England still think in those terms."
What Elliott has said about Chelsea snub
Speaking on the We Are Liverpool Podcast back in April last year, Elliott opened up about being snubbed by Chelsea as a youngster.
"Quite frankly it was because I was too small. I remember them saying that technically I was one of the best in the group, but I was too small.
“I don't think I felt anything like that in my football career so far in terms of how I felt after they said that," Elliott said.
"Being a young kid knowing you can't get that opportunity to play or get signed. I thought I was finished and I wasn't going to have a football career.
“I respected their decision, I played Sunday League for a bit with my friends and then I went to Fulham after that."
It's fair to say that Elliott is thriving at Liverpool and looks set to have a bright future ahead at Anfield.
The youngster has had a hand in 13 goals in 51 appearances this term and Chelsea may regret not taking a chance on the Englishman.
According to statistics site Fbref, Elliott ranks in the 99th percentile of midfielders in the Premier League when it comes to progressive passes received (7.65) and assists (0.36) per 90 minutes.
