Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott(Image: Getty Images)
Alan Hutton understands Harvey Elliott’s decision to try to resurrect his career in Spain – having done exactly the same thing himself.
Elliott spent a difficult season on loan at Aston Villa where the terms of his loan from Liverpool meant Unai Emery was reluctant to play him in a bid to avoid triggering an obligation to buy clause.
As a result the England Under-21 made only nine appearances during the entire campaign. After returning to Anfield in the off-season he was loaned to Valencia on transfer deadline day.
Hutton experienced tough times at Villa too, as part of Paul Lambert ’s bomb squad which resulted in him spending a couple of years out on loan.
One of those was to Mallorca in 2013 which he said gave him opportunities not only to play more regularly but to have a different experience.
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“I went through a difficult time at Villa for a number of seasons and I went on loan to Spain and it was as if I just forgot about everything that had happened before,” he told FootballPredictions.com.
“I really enjoyed my football. It's technical, it's different from the Premier League, it's not as physical.
“I think it will definitely suit Harvey Elliott’s attributes because he does want to get on the ball, he wants to get in pockets of space, he wants to make things happen and score goals. So it's about playing games and getting that confidence back.
“We all know he's a good player, he's just had a difficult couple of seasons. So even if he learns the language, if he gets in and about the different culture, you can just have a total change of mindset with a view to possibly coming back and doing something back in England
“I had other opportunities out in Spain after my short spell there to go there full-time, so it opens up different doors for you moving forward, and I think he's probably at a crossroads where he needs to end up making a decision and go somewhere where he feels the love, where he can play week in, week out.
“I think it's a good move for him, especially with the style of player that he is. I think he'll really fit into the Spanish league.”
So far Elliott has played three times, including a debut against Barcelona at the start of September. He has also made 149 appearances for Liverpool.
Hutton returned to Villa in 2014, worked his way back into the first team set-up and played 168 more games before hanging up his boots.
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