West Ham United may have found perfect long-term replacement for Angelo Ogbonna in Taylor Harwood-Bellis
West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer and the Hammers may well have located their perfect long-term replacement for Angelo Ogbonna.
The highly-rated centre-back has proven a revelation on loan at Burnley under Vincent Kompany’s guidance forming the heart of their defence in their impressive race towards Premier League football next season, registering a goal and two assists from 27 Sky Bet Championship games.
The 20-year-old is highly-regarded at the Etihad but his immediate future in Manchester is uncertain with his current contract due to expire next summer, and that has alerted a number of clubs to his situation.
According to 90min [3 April], the Stockport-born centre-back would like to make the grade under Pep Guardiola but is resigned to a bit-part role next season, which could mean his future lies elsewhere.
Burnley are reportedly hoping to bring Harwood-Bellis back to the club next season, and City legend Kompany is hopeful that his former employers will sanction a deal – whether it be another loan or a permanent deal.
However, any deal may prove complicated with West Ham, Newcastle United, Fulham and Brentford also interested in his signature, according to the report.
West Ham United are set to undergo a major rebuild, especially in their defence this summer with a whole host of their star players set to leave with the likes of Ogbonna, Declan Rice, and Vladimir Coufal moving closer to the London Stadium exit door and the East Londoners have already been linked with a number of defensive targets in recent months.
However, the Hammers will certainly not be wrong in trying to acquire some of the best young centre-backs around and Manchester City’s Harwood-Bellis seems the ideal fit to replace Ogbonna’s presence at the back, given his coming-of-age season at Turf Moor under Kompany.
An incredibly gifted centre-back possessing excellent qualities on the ball, aggressive and combative in his duel winning as well as being a very capable presence in the air, the 20-year-old possesses all the makings to become a high-level Premier League centre-back and a player the club should be fighting for if City are willing sellers.
And the stats show [WhoScored] he could well become the perfect replacement for Ogbonna, especially in the long term. Harwood-Bellis impressively averages one tackle, 1.9 interceptions, 3.4 clearances and 0.8 blocks per game which ranks well when compared to the Italian veteran.
He’s also had a hand in 10 Burnley clean sheets, whilst also winning an astonishing 66% of his ground duels and 63% of his aerial duels [SofaScore].
The 20-year-old is also a much better and well-rounded outlet in possession, averaging 83 passes per game, with an impressive success rate of 85%, according to WhoScored. He fits right at home in Burnley’s progressive style because of his incredible composure, authority and abilities in possession.
He also averages 6.6 long balls per game this season again highlighting how crucial he is to Kompany’s purposeful and progressive philosophy.
It’s rather strange that City may be willing sellers given his current abilities, but because of the number of talent available to Guardiola already, West Ham United should be given plenty of encouragement when moving for him.
At 21 years old, he’s got the perfect profile for Premier League clubs to sign him and build from and this is the sort of player West Ham United should be targeting this summer, with the likes of Ogbonna looking set to leave the London Stadium and even key defender Nayef Aguerd garnering interest elsewhere.
A move for the Manchester City loanee is an absolute no-brainer, but can the Hammers secure their Premier League status first and foremost?