Taylor Harwood-Bellis

[bobinho]

Does he get back in the side at the moment?

For me, no. Good player undoubtedly, but his short partnership with Jordan showed he’s the second best centre half at the club. He might actually only be the third best! McNally is ripping the trees up at Coventry and is their player of the season so far, it’s not an area we should be worried about.

I think far too much praise is heaped on this lad based on who his parent club is. Yeah he’s good, but he doesn’t stand out as being really classy and cultured like Gary Cahill did.

I understand he’s represented the national side at many levels, and he may well go on to break into the first 11 at some point, but let’s not kid ourselves that’s just around the corner. He’s a lot of development to do yet, and he may fall short at the final hurdle.

Beyer, Ekdal, al dakhil and macnally isn’t a bad looking centre half team don’t you think?

I ask this, it’s a question I was asked about other players yesterday… would you spend some of the cash that will be made available when we’re promoted on THB? If we get £30m say (big ask, I know) would you be happy to spend £20m (City won’t give him away) on “the future England captain”…… because I wouldn’t. £8m, yep, but not the lions share of the funds available. I’d sooner spend it on a really good combative centre mid and let our current centre half pairing start.

[taio]

Aerials won %

THB 62.6
Ekdal 71.4
Beyer 58.4
Taylor 59.3

Limited data for Ekdal, though, given he’s played only 8 games.

Average aerials won per game:

THB 3.2
Ekdal 2.8
Beyer 2.3
Taylor 2.0

[taio]

For me, no. Good player undoubtedly, but his short partnership with Jordan showed he’s the second best centre half at the club. He might actually only be the third best! McNally is ripping the trees up at Coventry and is their player of the season so far, it’s not an area we should be worried about.

I think far too much praise is heaped on this lad based on who his parent club is. Yeah he’s good, but he doesn’t stand out as being really classy and cultured like Gary Cahill did.

I understand he’s represented the national side at many levels, and he may well go on to break into the first 11 at some point, but let’s not kid ourselves that’s just around the corner. He’s a lot of development to do yet, and he may fall short at the final hurdle.

Beyer, Ekdal, al dakhil and macnally isn’t a bad looking centre half team don’t you think?

I ask this, it’s a question I was asked about other players yesterday… would you spend some of the cash that will be made available when we’re promoted on THB? If we get £30m say (big ask, I know) would you be happy to spend £20m (City won’t give him away) on “the future England captain”…… because I wouldn’t. £8m, yep, but not the lions share of the funds available. I’d sooner spend it on a really good combative centre mid and let our current centre half pairing start.

At least you no longer think he's an average championship defender.

I'd be happy if we loaned him for another season rather than spend £20m.

[Jakubs Tash]

Player power may come into it with the likes of Harwood-Bellis and Maatsen. It’s obviously attractive for them financially to sign new contracts with their parent clubs but if they see a better pathway playing football more often elsewhere then they might not commit to another deal with their club and try and get a move. If they don’t sign deals and only have 12 months left then their clubs might well need to look to deal.

[Rileybobs]

Average aerials won per game:

THB 3.2
Ekdal 2.8
Beyer 2.3
Taylor 2.0

That stat isn’t really a good gauge as to who is more dominant in the air though as we were no doubt facing more aerial challenges earlier in the season when the opposition actually posed us a challenge.

[taio]

That stat isn’t really a good gauge as to who is more dominant in the air though as we were no doubt facing more aerial challenges earlier in the season when the opposition actually posed us a challenge.

Fair enough. Ignore it then.

[boatshed bill]

One of the very few players I can think of who apparently has failed to improve while out of the team

[CrosspoolClarets]

Player power may come into it with the likes of Harwood-Bellis and Maatsen. It’s obviously attractive for them financially to sign new contracts with their parent clubs but if they see a better pathway playing football more often elsewhere then they might not commit to another deal with their club and try and get a move. If they don’t sign deals and only have 12 months left then their clubs might well need to look to deal.

They would both earn far more of a wage signing with us compared to staying on their current deals. Typically young players at these big clubs of that age who haven’t yet broken through may be on about £10k per week. Don’t know about these two specifically. I bet if we choose to try to sign them we would offer them a multiple of that with a “just in case” relegation clause.

Longer term they may of course see it financially better to stay at their parent clubs and get a new contract but when do footballers think long term?

I think we have a good chance to get them if the fee isn’t silly.

[Hipper]

Looking at yesterday's game on Clarets+ I thought he struggled with Wigan's big players although mostly this was in unimportant areas of the pitch. The true test will be Sheff United and McBurnie - I'm looking forward to that.

Overall though I like Ekdal and he has done well in the air and generally, with some incisive attacking passing and good carrying of the ball. He replaced THB seamlessly. He works well with Beyer too. Of course Beyer has progressed so maybe THB will look even better if he comes back in the side.

[ksrclaret]

I’m a huge fan of Harwood-Bellis and would like to see him starting for us in the PL next season, whether that be as a loan or permanent player.

[Steve1956]

I’m a huge fan of Harwood-Bellis and would like to see him starting for us in the PL next season, whether that be as a loan or permanent player.

Who would you drop,I think we will try to sign him,but can't see City selling myself

[bodge]

What makes THB stand out is his long passing, it's exceptional and is vital in getting our attacking players in pockets of space, this will get him the nod when he's back fit, tough though that will be on Ekdal.

[ksrclaret]

Who would you drop,I think we will try to sign him,but can't see City selling myself

Personally I’d drop Ekdal. He’s been mostly brilliant since he’s come in, but is possibly a bit too slow which may be exposed by PL attackers. He also doesn’t have the sort of passing range that Harwood-Bellis has, who is basically a deep-lying playmaker playing at CB.

If we did get Harwood-Bellis again we’d have a wonderful quartet of options though and it would be harsh on Ekdal.

[Rileybobs]

THB is certainly easier on the eye than Ekdal although Ekdal seems to have better ‘old school’ defensive qualities. We’ve been much better at defending set pieces and generally dealing with big physical forwards since Ekdal has been introduced. We also don’t seem to get caught out with the long ball over the top which is something that THB was often susceptible to. These things may be more of a result of the team improving as a unit, but I think the change in personnel is certainly a factor.

THB is a little slicker with his passing through the lines but Ekdal also has similar qualities on the ball.

[Rileybobs]

Fair enough. Ignore it then.

[taio]

Thought it was clear enough - acknowledging you made a fair point.

[Rileybobs]

Thought it was clear enough - acknowledging you made a fair point.

Sorry, the ‘ignore it’ bit just threw me. Ignore me.

[boatshed bill]

Personally I’d drop Ekdal. He’s been mostly brilliant since he’s come in, but is possibly a bit too slow which may be exposed by PL attackers. He also doesn’t have the sort of passing range that Harwood-Bellis has, who is basically a deep-lying playmaker playing at CB.

If we did get Harwood-Bellis again we’d have a wonderful quartet of options though and it would be harsh on Ekdal.

if we are in the PL I don't think we will be playing such a high line so often, so Ekdal's perceived lack of pace won't be exposed...
I think.

[Steve1956]

Personally I’d drop Ekdal. He’s been mostly brilliant since he’s come in, but is possibly a bit too slow which may be exposed by PL attackers. He also doesn’t have the sort of passing range that Harwood-Bellis has, who is basically a deep-lying playmaker playing at CB.

If we did get Harwood-Bellis again we’d have a wonderful quartet of options though and it would be harsh on Ekdal.

It's a wonderful journey we are on who knows what team we will line up with come our return to the Premier league..exciting times

[IWOODLOVETT]

I wonder if TH-B or Beyer could play as a holding midfielder - allowing Cullen/ Brownhill to move into a more advanced position ?

[Hedontplayforyou]

I wonder if TH-B or Beyer could play as a holding midfielder - allowing Cullen/ Brownhill to move into a more advanced position ?

[jojomk1]

I wonder if TH-B or Beyer could play as a holding midfielder - allowing Cullen/ Brownhill to move into a more advanced position ?

Move them both and Cullen/Brownhill could become our strikers

[KRBFC]

I think THB is better in the air, faster and considerably better with the ball at his feet than Ekdal. If we can get him back on loan, it's a no brainer imo.

[Burnley Ace]

How do they rate against Collins?

[equinox]

Any news/information on hopefully getting this lad back in next season?

[ClaretTony]

Any news/information on hopefully getting this lad back in next season?

I did hear a while ago, before last season finished, that it was unlikely.

[equinox]

I did hear a while ago, before last season finished, that it was unlikely.

Shame, but we have our boys to look after.

[Vegas Claret]

City are about to sign 21 year old CB Josko Gvardiol for about 85 million - THB isn't getting a look in at City anytime soon

[dougcollins]

In many ways being with us would be beneficial to Taylor (and us, of course) though I imagine City will make any permanent transfer financially impossible.

[Vegas Claret]

In many ways being with us would be beneficial to Taylor (and us, of course) though I imagine City will make any permanent transfer financially impossible.

they sold a few to Southampton with buy back clauses, they sold Muric to us with a buy back clause - very much the Barcelona way of doing things with younger players. Lets the buying club get around the loan rule and lets the selling club have a first buy back option

[The Hung Juror]

Noticed today that Leicester are about to appoint Enzo Maresca (assistant coach at Manchester City) as their new manager.

No doubt he will be looking to Pep to help him out, and so it could be a possible destination for THB on another season long loan. They certainly needed strengthening in that department.

[FeedTheArf]

Noticed today that Leicester are about to appoint Enzo Maresca (assistant coach at Manchester City) as their new manager.

No doubt he will be looking to Pep to help him out, and so it could be a possible destination for THB on another season long loan. They certainly needed strengthening in that department.

I think THB showed enough last season to deserve a crack at a Prem loan this year. He won't want to stand still with another year in the Championship.

[claretburns]

Any news/information on hopefully getting this lad back in next season?

Currently with the England Under 21 squad for the Euros in Romania and Georgia which begin next week, so if he is departing City this summer to us or anyone else, it will probably be sorted after the Euros.

[Colburn_Claret]

In many ways being with us would be beneficial to Taylor (and us, of course) though I imagine City will make any permanent transfer financially impossible.

I like THB, but I don't see how it benefits us if he keeps Ekdal or Al Dakhil out of the side.
With a limited number of loans, we have bigger holes to fill than CB.

[bfcmik]

With Ekdal, Beyer, Al-Dakil, McNally and Taylor to fill our CB needs I think, no matter how good the guy is and how much potential he undoubtedly has, this is not a move we will make.

LB is a far greater concern at the moment

[equinox]

I like THB, but I don't see how it benefits us if he keeps Ekdal or Al Dakhil out of the side.
With a limited number of loans, we have bigger holes to fill than CB.

Agree, he is better than than the two mentioned but there's not alot in it, so a permanent move or nothing for me.

I doubt City would sell to a title rival anyway.

[Jacob Rees Dogg]

I honestly think Collins is better than anyone we have. Pay Wolves the money and bring home.

[equinox]

I honestly think Collins is better than anyone we have. Pay Wolves the money and bring home.

That handball though, very 'Donald Trump'.

[Vegas Claret]

I honestly think Collins is better than anyone we have. Pay Wolves the money and bring home.

he couldn't wait to leave, no thanks

[Jamesy]

I honestly think Collins is better than anyone we have. Pay Wolves the money and bring home.

I wouldn’t have him back. If we play with two centre halves then Ekdal and Beyer are best combination in my view. And we have adequate cover in Al Dakhil.

[Elizabeth]

I honestly think Collins is better than anyone we have. Pay Wolves the money and bring home.

Bring home? He was hardly here long enough to know his way around the home dressing room

[CoolClaret]

Bring home? He was hardly here long enough to know his way around the home dressing room

& he wasn’t particularly that good

Hardly pulled up trees at Wolves either

[Spiral]

Nathan Collins is what JJ Watt would look like if JJ Watt didn't train to become a pro NFL player.

[jojomk1]

I wouldn’t have him back. If we play with two centre halves then Ekdal and Beyer are best combination in my view. And we have adequate cover in Al Dakhil.

Al Dakhil is better than Ekdal - just my opinion and maybe VK's as well


https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8kfews

[dougcollins]

Al Dakhil is better than Ekdal - just my opinion and maybe VK's as well


https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8kfews

I'm inclined to agree. Improves every game.

[Jakubclaret]

he couldn't wait to leave, no thanks

In fairness I think the money came in handy as well, it suited everybody, the club could have said no, wolves didn't trigger any release clause.

[Jamesy]

Al Dakhil is better than Ekdal - just my opinion and maybe VK's as well


https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8kfews

And that is what this message board is about, opinions. I am happy with the three of them and however Vincent wants to play them.