Harwood-Bellis sends ‘amazing’ new message after West Ham latest
England emulated their success of 2023 at the Under-21 European Championships as their former captain paid tribute.
Lee Carsley‘s side made it back-to-back Under-21 Euros titles with a 3-2 win over Germany on Saturday, which saw them squander an early two-goal lead before bouncing back to edge their rivals in extra time.
Harvey Elliott staked his player of the tournament claims with a fifth-minute opener that has sent his price tag through the roof at Liverpool, and Omari Hutchinson had England cruising inside 25 minutes.
Germany may have hit back with goals from Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel either side of half-time, but Jonathan Rowe‘s introduction early in extra time saw him head home the winner within just 90 seconds.
Harwood-Bellis reacts to England success – ‘What a group’
England were without several of their first-choice players due to the Under-21 Euros running alongside the FIFA Club World Cup, with Liam Delap opting to play for his new club Chelsea instead of travelling.
West Ham-linked midfielder James McAtee was given the captain’s armband in the absence of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who hasn’t featured for the Under-21s since his senior England debut last November.
Harwood-Bellis was also linked with a January switch to the London Stadium and could well be on the move this summer after Southampton’s relegation back to the Championship, with West Ham still keen.
The 23-year-old watched on as McAtee led England Under-21s to the title as he did against Spain in 2023, and Harwood-Bellis posted on his Instagram story (29 June) to say: “Amazing! What a group.”
West Ham wait to begin Southampton raid
Football Insider Verdict
Harwood-Bellis played in 34 out of 38 Southampton matches which amounted to the second-worst points tally in Premier League history, yet his performances still resulted in a senior England call-up.
As one of few diamonds in the rough of a turbulent season on the south coast, Harwood-Bellis and the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Tyler Dibling and Kyle Walker-Peters all look set to leave Saints this summer.
West Ham fans may not be best pleased to be identifying targets from a team relegated without a fight, but Harwood-Bellis and Walker-Peters in particular being linked to West Ham would give Graham Potter the defensive depth he lacked last term.