Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could have his next John Stones at the Etihad Stadium in the shape of Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The 21-year-old has recently completed his fourth loan spell away from the Manchester club, this time by helping Vincent Kompany’s Burnley win promotion back to the Premier League.
Since then, the defender has reportedly attracted transfer interest from the likes of Fulham and West Ham United.
Even though it has since been reported that the European champions are ready to cash in on the centre-back, we feel that if the Citizens were to keep hold of the Englishman, they could see him become a prominent first-team figure for the foreseeable future.
City should keep hold of Harwood-Bellis
One current City player we think Harwood-Bellis could look to take the mantle of in Pep Guardiola’s side is Stones, who proved throughout last season how much of a well-rounded defensive player he is.
For example, in addition to having the joint-highest passing accuracy percentage (93%) in the City squad across their previous Premier League campaign, the 29-year-old also made the fourth-highest number of clearances (40).
In comparison, Harwood-Bellis ended his Championship campaign at Turf Moor with more clearances made (106) than any other player at the club, as well as an overall passing accuracy percentage of 85%, which was higher than 17 other players at Burnley.
Clearly having a knack for defending, the City youth graduate has shown last season he can be just as good with the ball at his feet, as Stones has shown during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite not being as particularly proficient in possession or as versatile as the current City defender, the youngster has shown he has the ability and potential to be a useful figure for Guardiola down the road.
Therefore, we think it could be a mistake from the treble winners to sell the defender on a permanent basis this summer and should instead look to send him out on loan again to a Premier League side where he’d be able to play regularly and test himself in the top flight.
