Harvey Elliott’s Valencia Struggles Deepen as Fresh Criticism Raises Questions Over His Future
Harvey Elliott’s difficult start at Valencia appears to have taken another turn, with reports from Spain claiming the Liverpool loanee is facing concerns over his fitness.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, relayed by Sport Witness, Valencia are reportedly unhappy with Elliott’s current physical condition, with the midfielder said to still be above his ideal playing weight.
The 23-year-old has reportedly been instructed to use the current international break as a mini pre-season, with the aim of returning to his optimum fitness level.
A Difficult Start in Spain
Elliott has made just three La Liga appearances so far, playing a combined 85 minutes. His limited involvement raises questions about how much trust the Valencia coaching staff currently have in him.
His numbers across those appearances include:
– 40/48 accurate passes
– 55 touches
– 9 passes into the final third
– 2 chances created
– 2 defensive contributions
– 2/3 ground duels won
– 1 shot on target
– 1 recovery
However, Elliott has also arrived at a Valencia side struggling for results, with the club collecting just four points from their opening seven league matches.
A Long Road Back for Elliott
Elliott’s current situation comes after a difficult couple of seasons in which his playing time and confidence have reportedly suffered.
After Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Elliott featured heavily, recording 2,786 minutes. Under Arne Slot, however, his playing time dropped significantly to just 821 minutes during Liverpool’s Premier League-winning 2024/25 season.
He then enjoyed a major personal highlight by helping England win the UEFA U21 European Championship and being named Player of the Tournament.
Despite that success, Elliott subsequently joined Aston Villa on loan for the 2025/26 season, where he managed only 284 minutes.
After returning to Liverpool, he reportedly struggled to convince the club during pre-season and was eventually sent to Valencia by Andoni Iraola.
With that background, questions remain over whether Elliott can regain his confidence and fitness in Spain.
Can Elliott Turn Things Around?
Valencia have also undergone a managerial change, with Carlos Corberan leaving his position and Javier Aguirre taking over.
Elliott will now hope the new coach can provide him with a fresh opportunity and help him rediscover the form that once made him one of England’s most highly rated young midfielders.
For now, his future at Liverpool remains uncertain, with regular playing time and a strong spell at Valencia potentially crucial to determining whether he can revive his career at Anfield.
