Harwood-Bellis Shares His Disbelief Over First Senior England Call-Up Amid Strong Southampton Performance

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Taylor Harwood-Bellis expressed his disbelief upon learning about his first call-up to the England senior team. Alongside Newcastle's Lewis Hall, he was selected for Lee Carsley's final squad as interim head coach. Harwood-Bellis has been a standout performer for Southampton this season, playing in all their Premier League matches. He leads the team in aerial duels won with 13 and ranks second in passes completed, trailing only Jan Bednarek.

Unfortunately, Aaron Ramsdale had to withdraw from the squad due to a finger injury. Burnley's James Trafford replaced him. England is set to face Greece in Athens on Thursday, followed by a match against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley three days later. With several regulars injured, Harwood-Bellis has a chance to become the first Southampton player to represent England since Kyle Walker-Peters in 2022.

The defender is familiar with interim boss Lee Carsley from his time with England's Under-21 team, where he made 21 appearances—more than any other player during Carsley's tenure. Harwood-Bellis shared his excitement about the call-up during a press conference, saying, "Lee Carsley rang me in the morning and said, 'you'll be with us, with the seniors'. I didn't quite believe it at first." His partner was beside him when he received the news, and he immediately called his proud father.

Harwood-Bellis understands that performing well during this international break could have significant implications. Thomas Tuchel will take over as manager next year, providing motivation for players to secure their spots. "It will be a big motivation for all of the lads," he noted, emphasizing that younger players will strive to impress amidst fierce competition.

Aaron Ramsdale was one of the first to congratulate Harwood-Bellis on his selection. "One of the first people to message me was Aaron Ramsdale," Harwood-Bellis mentioned. Despite Ramsdale's absence due to injury, Harwood-Bellis remains focused on making an impact both for Southampton and potentially for England if given playing time.

The upcoming matches present an opportunity for Harwood-Bellis and others to showcase their abilities on an international stage. The competition within the squad is intense due to experienced players being unavailable. However, Harwood-Bellis is determined to seize every chance he gets.