winning mentality
2022/23 loan watch: Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Ahead of the 2022/23 season, Burnley were coming to terms with competing as a Championship side for the first time in six seasons.
Last time they were looking to mount a promotion charge to the Premier League in 2015/16, Sean Dyche had remained at the helm despite the former Watford boss being in charge when the Clarets went down.
On this occasion, the differences more than overshadowed the similarities.
A complete rebuild was deemed necessary, two months on from Dyche's departure from the Turf Moor dugout.
Expectation and scrutiny went hand in hand when former City legend Vincent Kompany was lured away from Anderlecht to take the reins after the Belgian had impressively reestablished his former employers back to the top end of the Belgian Pro League table.
The 37-year-old’s impeccable credentials as a manager weren’t under scrutiny, but his ability to transform the Clarets from a hardened, no-nonsense side under Dyche to a free-flowing, fluid and attacking-focused side was.
To do so, the illustrious former Etihad Stadium captain rang the personnel changes at the Lancashire club, overseeing a staggering 23 departures and 21 arrivals as he stamped his mark.
One of these, of course, being Taylor Harwood-Bellis who had enjoyed a strong six-month loan spell under the Belgian at the Purple and Whites at the start of the 2021/22 term.
After a mixed start as Kompany’s change of emphasis took shape, the Clarets climbed to the Championship summit after a 1-0 home win over Norwich in late October – and from then on they never relinquished their position in first place.
In total, the Belgian’s side lost only three league games and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in his maiden year in charge.
The 2022/23 season will live long in the memory for both Burnley and Harwood-Bellis.
Cultured and composed centre-back
At the age of just 21, Harwood-Bellis possesses a plethora of precious experience in senior football already.
After making his City debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston in September 2019, he has since made a further seven appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side – scoring once.
Such trust from the Catalan prompted Blackburn Rovers to acquire his services on loan during the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, where he featured 19 times in the Championship as Rovers further established themselves in the division.
His impressive displays for Tony Mowbray’s then side resulted in the composed defender linking up with Kompany for the first time at Anderlecht - where he featured 19 times in 2021/22 before spending the remainder of the campaign with Stoke.
But when the Belgian took the reigns at second tier Burnley last summer, he quickly made a loan move for the defender who had already racked up 41 outings in the Championship.
He was then instantly installed at the heart of the backline alongside fellow summer recruit, Jordan Beyer, where he went on to make 35 appearances in all competitions with 33 coming as part of a starting XI.
Effective in both boxes, Harwood-Bellis’ first goal for Burnley came in a 1-1 draw with Preston, while he registered two assists – the first coming in a 3-3 draw with Blackpool.
In total, the England Under-21s captain won a total of 137 duels in Claret and Blue while also boasting a mightily impressive 85.3% pass completion percentage.
His title winning campaign showed no sign of slowing down at the end of the domestic season, either, as he played an integral role as captain of the Young Lions’ victorious Euro 2023 campaign – helping Lee Carsley’s side maintain a clean sheet throughout the tournament.
“I want to be at the top. That’s what I like and I feel l play better in that situation.”
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
The 2022/23 Championship title represents the latest domestic honour of Harwood-Bellis’ sparkling, fledgling career to date, which was swiftly followed by the Under-21 European Championship crown.
By playing 35 games for Burnley, that total also represents the most appearances he has made for one club during a single season.
And the 21-year-old is grateful for the lessons learned and the mentality he had to adopt last term which resulted in him winning two trophies.
“I think [winning the Championship] has set me up nicely for this summer,” Harwood-Bellis declared.
“The Euros helped as well, but the relentlessness of just winning and being promoted, not settling and wanting to win the league and set records [has been valuable].
“It was tough at the start, but the culture at Burnley was ‘we go again, no rollercoasters’. We didn’t get too high or too low and I think that worked a treat.
“I feel like that’s why it went so well. Sunderland away [stands out] when we were 2-0 down at half-time.
“We scored four in the second half and I think that showed we weren’t going to give up and we wanted to win games and not settle for a draw.
“There were a few last minute goals. Games against Rotherham, Reading and they set us up nicely and the Blackburn game where we won the league was massive.
“You win a lot of stuff here and you’ve got an expectation to win here at Manchester City.
“So being at Burnley and being top of the league, you’re expected to win every week and that helped me. That’s where I want to be and [I] didn’t want to be an underdog.
“I want to be at the top. That’s what I like and I feel l play better in that situation.
“Honestly, the senior lads at Burnley [were great]. I doubt there would be anywhere else that would have those types of people. There were a lot of good people around, but they were the best I’ve experienced.
“They just led the group. Even some of them who weren’t playing or maybe having a difficult time, they were just so good with the younger lads and even the lads coming from different countries.
“I can’t speak highly enough of them and the way they trained and the way they helped everyone. I don’t believe we would’ve got anywhere near it if it wasn’t for them being around.
“I think I’ve improved physically. I think the mentality and culture at Burnley of [wanting to] win every week and the relentlessness to not take your foot off the gas is something I’ll take into the rest of my career.”
Harwood-Bellis joined City at the age of six and progressed through the youth system all the way into our men’s senior side.
Throughout his Academy career, he played an influential role in every age group he featured for and helped the Club win the 2020 FA Youth Cup.
Across his education at the City Football Academy, the 21-year-old credits the tests he faced and lessons learned for helping him make his mark at senior level.
He added: “[I learned] the mentality of knowing I’d have to fight for my place [at City].
“I went to Blackburn first, and it was difficult to get into that side, but I did it and I feel like the Academy helped with that in terms of [having] a kind of resilience, determination and the standard they set.
“I feel like I went in prepared and showed that with the amount of games I played.
“I think technically and tactically it helps. It’s difficult going into a new formation, but I feel tactically we’re prepared and we do a lot of technical work.
“Once you’re there [at a loan club] and you’ve got your rhythm, it kind of takes care of itself and the more you play the fitter you get, so that’s not a problem either.
“All the games you play in the Academy help along with the coaching you get and I think the whole lifestyle helps too.
“There’s a loan team who get in touch, but for me personally, I like to focus on the club I’m at and kind of keep the contact down to a minimum just so I can focus and get on with it.
“If I have a problem I know they’re there and they’re really good with it. They really just kind of said ‘whatever you need we’ll do’ and ‘however often you need it, we’re there’.
“That’s really important and I feel like they do a great job with it.
“I don’t think you can be successful any other way [than be present at your loan club].
“If you’re not thinking about where you are, you’re not going to perform well if you’re not present in that situation.
“I think it would be the same for most people who are successful, they’re just there and [that’s] all they’re focusing on.”
“Harwood-Bellis made a very positive impression among Burnley supporters and looks set to have a bright future in the game.”
Dan Barnes, Burnley reporter
As a flurry of new faces arrived at Turf Moor last summer, excitement levels were building among supporters who were quietly confident ahead of the new campaign.
Following strong spells at Anderlecht and Stoke the season before, the temporary signing of Harwood-Bellis sparked an expectant buzz for those connected to Burnley
And the 21-year-old more than lived up to expectations.
“There was plenty of excitement among supporters when Taylor Harwood-Bellis arrived at Turf Moor, and he did not disappoint,” Lancashire Telegraph sports reporter Dan Barnes said.
“Vincent Kompany knew what he was getting from Harwood-Bellis, having worked together at Anderlecht.
“The City youngster formed an effective partnership with Jordan Beyer at the heart of the Clarets' defence, with both players comfortable with Kompany’s possession-based approach.
“Harwood-Bellis looked composed on the ball and had some success with long passes, often switching the play to pick out a team-mate in space.
“The 21-year-old also popped up with a goal in the 1-1 draw against Preston North End back in September, finding the bottom corner with a clinical header from a corner.
“It was a special moment for the youngster in a feisty local derby.”
By amassing an astonishing 101 Championship points last season, Burnley became only the fifth side to surpass a century in the second tier’s history.
Having suffered an unfortunate injury set-back two thirds of the way through the campaign, Harwood-Bellis fought back to full fitness and helped guide Kompany’s side to the spectacular milestone.
From those who witnessed his performances in claret and blue, they’re under no illusions he has a bright future in the game.
Barnes added: “The defender missed a portion of the season after suffering a foot injury but returned for the final run-in as Kompany’s side finished top of the Championship and secured an immediate return to the top-flight.
“Kompany’s side ended up finishing 10 points clear of second-place Sheffield United, passing the impressive 100-point milestone following victory against Cardiff on the final day.
“Harwood-Bellis made a very positive impression among Burnley supporters and looks set to have a bright future in the game.
“He’s gained some valuable experience at Turf Moor and has already racked up plenty of minutes in the EFL and abroad despite his youth.”
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