Pundit Simon Jordan defended Aston Villa manager Unai Emery’s decision to sideline Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott, arguing that the club is not trying to avoid triggering the £35 million transfer clause but that Elliott simply cannot displace the current, high-performing squad members.
Pundit Simon Jordan staunchly defended Aston Villa manager Unai Emery regarding the ongoing omission of Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott.
Jordan dismissed the suggestion that Villa is benching Elliott to avoid triggering the £35 million obligation-to-buy clause linked to his appearances.
Emery had already stated the 22-year-old’s lack of minutes was strictly for “sporting reasons.”
Jordan argued that since Villa is “flying” and sitting high in the Premier League, it is “not their job” to field Elliott to meet a financial liability.
He advised Elliott to “force his way into the side” against players who are performing well.
Jordan concluded, “Emery strikes me as the sort of person that wants his best shoulders to the wheel and if Harvey Elliott was his best shoulder, it’d be to the wheel.”