Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis has admitted it was "difficult' to see Manuel Akanji sign for the club.
Pep Guardiola signed Akanji from Borussia Dortmund for £15million this summer and the 27-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong since his arrival at the Etihad. City will of course have been concerned to see John Stones come off injured before half-time during England's 3-3 draw with Germany on Monday night, yet at the same time, they will be feeling a sense of vindication over their transfer planning.
Their new centre-back Akanji has played a full 90 minutes for all three games that he has been available for, conceding just one goal in the process. Stones' latest injury means that Akanji looks set to be called upon once again, this time for the Manchester derby, with Guardiola hoping the Swiss defender can keep Erik ten Hag's side at bay.
ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola predicted John Stones problem with Man City warning
However, not everyone at the club has been as happy to see Akanji doing so well. Academy graduate Harwood-Bellis is spending the season on loan at Burnley, determined to prove to Guardiola that he has a future at the club.
The 20-year-old made his City senior debut in 2019, but is now looking to Blues legend Vincent Kompany to give him further game time this season.
Speaking to the The Times, Harwood-Bellis said: “I just focus on doing my job at Burnley. I can only do so much from my part, I will keep putting in performances and doing my best. Whatever happens, happens. If I break into [the first-team at] City, then I have achieved my goals but if not I go down another route.
"Obviously it is difficult seeing them sign another centre-half but if you see the quality of the centre-half they have signed it is a difficult one. He is unreal, along with the other ones. Everyone knows it is difficult but, to be fair, I just focus on what I have to do with Burnley and hopefully get Burnley promoted.
“I have never doubted myself that if I get a chance I would take it, but for me personally the best thing was to go on loan especially with the manager being Vincent Kompany as well. We are playing a similar way to City and I feel I have made a good decision, we will see where it goes next season.”
READ NEXT:
