Harwood-Bellis has emerged as a crucial figure for Russell Martin’s squad this season. Southampton’s recent resurgence in form continued with a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City at St Mary’s on Saturday. After suffering four consecutive defeats, this win marked their sixth consecutive league game without defeat, with four wins during this run.
Goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Carlos Alcaraz, and Adam Armstrong secured a three-point haul for Southampton, elevating them to fourth place in the Championship standings. Following their relegation from the Premier League last season, there were high expectations for the club to make an immediate return to the top flight of English football.
Their recent form suggests they might be capable of achieving that goal, even though they are currently ten points behind second-placed Ipswich Town, who have a game in hand, in the race for automatic promotion. There is still ample time left in the season to bridge that gap.
However, it appears that their ability to retain one of their key goalscorers from the Birmingham City match, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, beyond this season may hinge on their promotion prospects.
During the summer transfer window, Harwood-Bellis joined Southampton on a season-long loan from Manchester City, with an option for Southampton to make the move permanent for a reported fee of £20 million, contingent on their promotion to the Premier League.
Harwood-Bellis himself has expressed a desire to make a permanent move to Southampton next summer, provided the club secures promotion to the Premier League this season.
Given the central defender’s growing importance to Southampton and his evident quality, the requirement for promotion to retain his services may be a source of concern for some within the club.
However, from Harwood-Bellis’s perspective, it is reasonable for him to aspire to play in the Premier League next season if he is to stay with Southampton.
Harwood-Bellis has accumulated a wealth of experience through loan spells with various clubs, including Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Burnley, and Southampton, amassing 81 Championship appearances in his career. He is on track to surpass 100 appearances in the Championship by the end of his loan with Southampton, indicating that he has paid his dues at this level and is deserving of a Premier League opportunity.
His significant role in Burnley’s promotion from the Championship last season further supports his readiness for top-flight football. Additionally, he has earned trust from successful managers, having made eight appearances for Manchester City, albeit none in the Premier League.
Furthermore, there was interest from Premier League clubs, including Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Fulham, and Burnley, during the summer transfer window, suggesting that he could attract attention from top-flight clubs at the end of this season. To make an appealing offer to Harwood-Bellis, both in terms of footballing and financial aspects, Southampton will likely need to secure Premier League status.
Considering that he will be 22 years old by the end of this season, it appears to be the right time for Harwood-Bellis to establish himself in the Premier League, giving him ample time to adapt and excel at that level. His previous loan spell at Anderlecht in Belgium has provided him with some top-flight experience, further fueling his desire for more opportunities at that level.
Taking all these factors into account, it seems that Harwood-Bellis will be well-prepared for a Premier League opportunity at the end of this season. Nevertheless, his stance places added pressure on Southampton to succeed in their ongoing Championship promotion campaign.
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