Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert heaped praise on “ultimate professional” Taylor Harwood-Bellis as the defender ignored the noise around West Ham’s interest to help the side win 2-0 at Stoke.
The 24-year-old joined Saints from Manchester City on loan in 2023, with the move becoming permanent after winning the Championship play-off final at the end of that season.
Harwood-Bellis stayed with Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League, but West Ham have made a move to sign the England international in the final days of the winter window.
The Press Association understands Saints rebuffed a £12million offer on the eve of Saturday lunchtime’s trip to Stoke.
Harwood-Bellis’ exceptional pass led to Finn Azaz’s opener at the bet365 Stadium before Flynn Downes wrapped up the victory.
“Taylor is an ultimate professional,” boss Eckert said. “I think you don’t find many like him in the game. The quality to block the noise at the moment.
“I think he was outstanding today. The first pass that he played for Tom (Fellows), there’s not many in the league that can do that. Outstanding player.”
Harwood-Bellis is among a number of Saints players being linked with a move before Monday’s deadline.
Adam Armstrong, a reported target of Middlesbrough, was conspicuous by his absence from the squad at Stoke, as was fellow striker Cameron Archer amid talk of a loan to Rangers.
“Adam was supposed to be starting (as of) yesterday,” Eckert said. “So, he did do the training session, got a knock, and then we needed to change.”
Asked if he expected Armstrong to still be at Saints come Monday night, Eckert added: “Let’s see.
“I think it’s not just him. I think there’s been a lot of noise around a couple of players.
“Let’s see what the next days bring and then I think next week, we are clear on what the team is going to look like for the game coming up on the weekend.”
Eckert returns to the south coast to celebrate his 33rd birthday, and a first away league win in 10 weeks, whereas Stoke counterpart Mark Robins will stew on a game that went terribly for the hosts.
“It was poor,” the City boss said. “We got everything wrong. Everything.
“There was a lack of thought, there was a lack of urgency, a lack of energy, a lack of understanding, which is a recipe for disaster.
“We didn’t deserve anything from the game and it is absolutely clear the reasons why we lost the game.
“The prerequisite is you’ve got to go and fight. If you’re not as good as the opponent, and sometimes you’re not, then at least you’ve got to fight and stop them from playing.
“We gave them goals. I mean, the goals were terrible. We’ve got positional plays wrong, couldn’t lay a glove on anybody in midfield in the first half. We just didn’t have the legs.
“There’s nothing in that game that I’m happy with. Nothing. And that’s the first time I’ve ever said that.”
