Taylor Harwood-Bellis, the young English defender, has quickly become a rising star in the football world. His impressive performances for Manchester City's youth team and his recent loan spell at Blackburn Rovers have earned him recognition from both fans and pundits alike.
Growing up in Stockport, England, Harwood-Bellis joined Manchester City's academy at the age of nine. He progressed rapidly through the youth ranks, showcasing his exceptional skills and leadership qualities. In 2019, he made his debut for City's first team in the Carabao Cup and became a regular starter in UEFA Youth League matches.
Harwood-Bellis's performances for City's youth team did not go unnoticed, and he was called up to the England Under-21 team in 2020. He was an integral part of the England team that won the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. His performances at youth level have led many to believe that he has the potential to become a future England international.
In January 2021, Harwood-Bellis was sent on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. He quickly established himself as a key player for Rovers, making 19 appearances and scoring one goal. His performances for Blackburn helped the club reach the play-off semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to Swansea City.
Harwood-Bellis's impressive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers did not go unnoticed, and he was recalled to Manchester City in the summer of 2021. He made his Premier League debut for City in October 2021, and his performance earned him praise from manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola described Harwood-Bellis as a "complete defender" and said that he has a "big future" ahead of him.
Harwood-Bellis is eligible to represent either England or Ireland at international level. He played for England at youth level but has since expressed his desire to play for the Republic of Ireland. In October 2021, he was called up to the Ireland senior team for the first time. He made his debut for Ireland in a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.
Harwood-Bellis is a versatile defender who can play in several positions across the back line. He is comfortable playing as a centre-back, a left-back, or a right-back. He is a strong tackler, an excellent passer, and a good aerial presence. His composure and leadership skills are also notable. He is a confident player who is not afraid to take risks. Harwood-Bellis has all the attributes to become a top-class defender. He is still young, but he has already shown that he has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the world. His impressive performances for Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, and the Republic of Ireland suggest that he has a very bright future ahead of him.