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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Man City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis sends message to Pep Guardiola

Young Manchester City centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis is planning to show Pep Guardiola what he is capable of when England's Under-21s face Slovenia away from home in a European Championship qualifier on Thursday evening.

The defender, who is currently on loan at Belgian giants Anderlecht, being schooled by former City captain and now-Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany, will be hoping to start and earn just his second cap at Under-21 level for the Three Lions.

The 19-year-old, who spent time on loan at Championship club Blackburn Rovers last season, made the switch to Anderlecht during the summer after Kompany personally made a request to take the City academy graduate on loan.

Since joining the Pro League side, Harwood-Bellis has made 12 appearances in all competitions and claimed two assists.

Harwood-Bellis is hoping that Guardiola will be watching, insisting that he has to "take" the opportunity that is set to come his way.

Harwood-Bellis told Sky Sports : "It is a message to everyone, really, to show what I can do. I have got the opportunity to do it so I have got to go and take it."

More than two years ago, following a 3-0 win over Preston North End in the Carabao Cup, Guardiola hailed Harwood-Bellis, who was only 17 at the time, after rewarding him with his debut that evening.

Guardiola, on that occasion, said: "I saw Taylor in China and I said 'Wow, that guy has a good thing'. He had a lot of quality."

Considering the youngster impressed on loan at Blackburn towards the end of last season and has made a bright start to life in Belgium, he will be hoping to carry that form onto the international stage in the hope that Guardiola takes note of his progression.

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