Although Taylor Harwood-Bellis has only played in eight matches for Manchester City’s first squad, he is quite familiar with winning trophies.
Following Burnley’s dominant victory in the Championship last season, the center-back confidently held the European Under-21 Championship trophy with England over the summer. He is currently aiming to achieve his third successful outcome within a span of only 12 months with Southampton.
The Saints are currently engaged in a competitive three-way contest to secure second place and automatic promotion from the Championship this season. At present, they hold the fourth position in the rankings, trailing Ipswich Town in third and Leeds United in second by a mere two points. They are set to compete against Leeds United on the last day of the season.
Despite a recent setback with two losses in their past three matches, the Saints are currently having a remarkable season, highlighted by an impressive 25-game undefeated streak in all competitions. Before their 3-1 loss to Bristol City on February 13th, they had maintained an undefeated record in both league and cup matches since September 23rd.
Harwood-Bellis, a graduate of City academy, played a crucial part in the historic streak by starting in 23 out of the 25 matches it comprised. The centre-back was signed on loan in August for the entire season and has played a crucial role in the Saints’ efforts to secure promotion to the Premier League in their first attempt.
With the valuable experience gained from his successful loan spell at Burnley last season, the 22-year-old has become one of the top center-backs in the Championship this season, sharing his knowledge and expertise with his teammates on how to escape the challenges of the league. Southampton fans have developed a strong affection for him, with one user on social media recently praising him as the finest central defender the club has had since the era of Virgil van Dijk. One individual characterized him as an exceptional player, comparable to a Rolls-Royce.
