Journalist Dean Jones has commented on the potentially significant development concerning Southampton’s defender, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, during a conversation with GIVEMESPORT.
Harwood-Bellis has played a pivotal role for Southampton this season under Russell Martin, and Jones emphasized that the club will not be in a hurry to rush his return, despite his impressive performance since joining.
In the most recent update, it was noted that Harwood-Bellis was loaned to Southampton from Premier League champions Manchester City during the summer transfer window, as reported by The Athletic. While his stay at the club is temporary, if Martin’s team secures promotion to the Premier League, they will be obligated to pay £20 million to Manchester City and secure the services of the center-back on a permanent basis.
Southampton managed to fend off competition from other Premier League clubs to secure his signature, with the Evening Standard reporting that West Ham United and Fulham had expressed interest in signing him only a few months ago. Given his pivotal role in Burnley’s Championship title victory last season, it’s no surprise that Martin and his recruitment team were eager to bring him to St Mary’s.
Harwood-Bellis was part of a Burnley side managed by Vincent Kompany, which emphasized possession football and playing from the back, much like Martin’s approach. In terms of finding a player comfortable on the ball and experienced in securing promotion to the Premier League, Southampton couldn’t have made a better choice in their defensive acquisition.
The Saints have faced challenges in adapting to Martin’s system overall, currently holding the 10th position in the table. While they have controlled possession, as anticipated, they may require additional time on the training ground to improve their results.
During the recent international break, Southampton suffered a significant setback, confirming that Harwood-Bellis would return to the club early due to an injury. The club statement reveals that he will undergo assessment at the training ground, with further updates to be provided in the near future.
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