‘Back to school’ for Fulham history maker – Jokanovic

Boss Slavisa Jokanovic joked he did not want to get Harvey Elliot in trouble at school after making him Fulham’s youngest-ever player at just 15 years old.

The academy prospect came on after 81 minutes of the Carabao Cup win at Millwall, where Joe Bryan, Luca de la Torre and Cyrus Christie fired the Whites into fourth round in a 3-1 victory.

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City have shown interest in the teenager but Jokanovic says Elliot still has great strides to make before becoming a regular at senior level.

“We believe he has a bright future ahead of him but tomorrow he must go back to school,” Jokanovic said.

“He was in school today and had some exams, and he said they went ‘so-so’. I didn’t want to put him in any trouble.

“I prefer not to talk about him too much but, working with him, he is arrogant in a positive way. He shows the personality to say ‘if you give me a chance, I’m going to show you’.

“I did that and he showed me something. He showed some quality, some speed. But there is a huge gap ahead of him for improvement, and to grow up, and be part of this profession.

“He is definitely a talented kid. The academy is working well. They give me something in my head – a kind of half-product – for me to try and make something definite.”