Cast your mind back to the summer — a transfer window that saw West Ham repeatedly linked with three attacking midfielders: Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Elliott, and Mateus Fernandes.
There were, of course, plenty of other names floated in various positions, but it was clear from early on that the Hammers were prepared to spend big on a creative midfielder.
In the end — much to my personal delight — the club sanctioned the signing of Mateus Fernandes, who now looks to be settling nicely into life under compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo.
For much of the summer, though, it was Liverpool’s England U21 star Harvey Elliott who appeared the most likely arrival. Alongside fellow England youth internationals Tyler Morton and Charlie Cresswell, it seemed only a matter of time before then-manager Graham Potter pushed for one of them.
Fernandes is starting to look the real deal at West Ham
Elliott’s Struggles Prove West Ham Right
I only mention this because Elliott’s name popped up again today while reading The Athletic’s piece on his struggles since joining Aston Villa. To be honest, I’d completely forgotten about him — and after finishing the article, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps West Ham dodged a bullet.
That’s not to say Elliott isn’t talented — far from it. But as I wrote at the time, I always hoped the club would sign Fernandes instead. Elliott, for all his flair, has always struck me as something of a luxury player — technically brilliant, but perhaps lacking the athleticism and bite needed to thrive in West Ham’s midfield.
Fernandes, by contrast, has mobility, an eye for a pass, and the kind of grit that allows him to operate as both a number 8 and a number 10.
According to The Athletic, not even in Elliott’s worst nightmares could he have imagined how badly things would unravel just ten weeks after leaving Liverpool. The 21-year-old, once tipped for senior England honours, now finds himself unwanted by his parent club, frozen out on loan at Villa, and miles away from international contention.
He’s played just four minutes of football in the last six weeks, appearing as a late substitute against Feyenoord in the Europa League. The report also claims Elliott feels “badly let down” after being promised regular game time under Unai Emery, which has simply never materialised.
All told, while Elliott’s situation might still turn around, it’s hard not to feel that West Ham got this one right. In Fernandes, the Hammers seem to have found the player we were hoping for.
There are many young talented players out there who think they have made it before putting the hard yards in and sadly most do not fulfill there potential as many think they are ready because they have done well in reserve football or U21 international tournaments.
If the aforementioned player was that good Liverpool would not of let him go and kept him for there own use but clearly the odd appearance here and there surrounded by world class players made him look better than he is.
Will he come good? with hard work and maybe a step down his talents will become more honed but he needs like many younger players to understand that just because he used to play for Liverpool etc does not mean you have a right to walk into a club and expect to be starting.
Unlike managers and coaches who see players daily on the training ground supporters and pundits cannot see what clearly they do and the reasoning behind why they do not choose to pick the player for the first team…Much like Guilherme with us you have to ask and wonder if he is up to the task as successive managers have chosen not to utilise the player regardless of the supposed talent we fans think he has…..yes mistakes are made and styles of play may not suit the player and so they get moved on but if the player was as good as they think they are then managers would be foolish not to use them so clearly the player needs to improve and be patient as football is not a forgiving sport and if you are poor and the fans see it then that kind of thing will follow you around from club to club.
So get your head down work hard and when/if the chance comes grab it with both hands until then be patient and keep quiet.
Well said Pat mate
I thought he was overated he scored a few goals for the 21 but no passing abilty
West ham would be mad not to make a bid for Harvey Elliot he’s a special talent as he proved when he led England to the u21 champions
Sounds similar to Cummings and Guilherme.