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3 Reasons why Leicester should sign Taylor Harwood-Bellis

By Jayden Whitworth

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Leicester City target Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Burnley celebrates with teammates after winning the Sky Bet Championship following victory against Blackburn Rovers after the Sky Bet Championship between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley at Ewood Park on April 25, 2023 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Leicester City target Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Burnley celebrates with teammates after winning the Sky Bet Championship following victory against Blackburn Rovers after the Sky Bet Championship between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley at Ewood Park on April 25, 2023 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) /
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BATUMI, GEORGIA – JULY 8: Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Curtis Jones of England celebrate with trophy during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 final match between England and Spain on July 8, 2023 on Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
BATUMI, GEORGIA – JULY 8: Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Curtis Jones of England celebrate with trophy during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 final match between England and Spain on July 8, 2023 on Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

1. Harwood-Bellis would deepen Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca’s defensive options

First things first, he would bring much-needed depth to the back line. If Maresca is looking to persist with this three-at-the-back formation then a good foundation of centre-backs is much needed. At the moment Leicester have five conventional centre-backs at the club, one of them being the injured Coady and another being the Rangers-linked Souttar. That leaves only Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, and Callum Doyle as the senior centre-backs.

Even Wout Faes’ future remains uncertain as he was quoted saying, “You never know what could happen” in an interview with The Athletic this week. Maresca could maybe look to blood a youth player like Ben Nelson who is said to be being looked at by some of the country’s elite clubs, including Chelsea.

Outside of those options we have seen Wilfred Ndidi drop back into defence before, but under Maresca’s reign, it looks far more likely that we will see the Nigerian up front rather than at the back. So maybe Hamza Choudhury could drop back there? But that would be less than ideal. So bringing in Harwood-Bellis would bolster these options and help to aid Leicester’s title charge.

2. The England international would bring experience

Despite only being 21 years old the former Burnley centre-back would bring a wealth of experience, he is an old head on young shoulders. Firstly he would bring experience at this level having been part of Burnley’s promotion campaign last season, playing 32 games of the Clarets’ stellar Championship season.

But secondly, he would bring big-game experience and leadership to a side that is lacking in just that. The 21-year-old had a busy summer as he lifted the Under-21 European Championship with England. Harwood-Bellis captained the side to glory and his energy and brilliant performance were key to winning the trophy.