‘I solely had a short while underneath Pep Guardiola however I realized the calmness to play. There are different methods to beat groups – not simply kicking it so far as you’ll be able to’: Manchester Metropolis academy graduate highlights genius of Catalan boss
Manchester Metropolis managed Pep Guardiola has gained all the things there’s to win throughout his eight years on the membership – and one academy graduate has highlighted how younger gamers are capable of develop quickly underneath the Catalan supervisor.
Since arriving at Manchester Metropolis, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis have all emerged from the academy and developed underneath Guardiola’s tutelage, although a variety of different gamers have displayed their abilities elsewhere within the Premier League.
Cole Palmer is the obvious instance, although Taylor Harwood-Bellis is one other teen who has emerged as a highly-rated defender at Southampton.
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Harwood-Bellis emerged from the identical Stockport Metro Junior League that produced Phil Foden and adopted him to Manchester Metropolis, earlier than making his debut underneath Pep Guardiola in a League Cup tie at Preston in 2019, aged 17.
Mortgage spells at Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht, Stoke, Burnley and Southampton – previous to his everlasting transfer to the Saints in the summertime – all adopted, however Harwood-Bellis has described the affect Guardiola has had on his profession regardless of the time he spent away from the membership.
“That [debut] gave me loads of confidence,” Harwood-Bellis solely tells FourFourTwo.
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“I solely had a short while underneath Pep however I realized the calmness to play, and tactical information. There are different methods to beat groups – not simply kicking it so far as you’ll be able to, however having the braveness to play soccer.”
Harwood-Bellis’ Manchester Metropolis debut (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
The mortgage spell at Burnley in 2022/23, the place he earned promotion to the Premier League taking part in enticing soccer underneath Vincent Kompany is the place Harwood-Bellis really flourished. The English defender admits, nonetheless, that he initially needed to return to the Clarets for final time period, as a substitute of heading again to the Championship to play for Southampton.
“I’m not going to lie: I needed to return to Burnley,” Harwood-Bellis remembers. “However later within the window, I came upon it wasn’t going to occur. I explored different choices and I didn’t need to flip down Southampton, due to the scale of the membership. It was an opportunity to get one other promotion, and after talking to the gaffer, it was a no brainer.”
Harwood-Bellis taking part in for Southampton (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Arriving on one other season-long mortgage, Harwood-Bellis secured that second successive promotion. “Not many individuals have accomplished that, so it’s one thing to look again on and be pleased with,” he says. “I’ve realized so much from the gaffer right here. He tells me what I’m doing properly and what I must do higher. I’ve nonetheless received extra to be taught.”
As a part of the deal agreed final summer season, Southampton would make the mortgage transfer everlasting for a £20m price in the event that they returned to the Premier League. “It couldn’t have gone extra completely,” Harwood-Bellis says. “This was what I got down to do: to get my Premier League transfer, at a membership I really like taking part in for. That is the place I see my long-term future. Each child desires to play in the very best league on the earth – now I’ve received to remain there.”
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