'Something in the air' - Stockport's latest England international on following Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo

He follows in the footsteps of Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, who both started in the UEFA Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Harwood-Bellis, who joined City at the age of six, moved to Southampton for £20 million this summer, and has now been called up to his first senior England squad.

The 22-year-old said: “There’s something in the air in Stockport. I don’t know, it’s a good town, good people. And obviously the club, Stockport County is a big supporter of that so there’s football everywhere. Down the road from Manchester, City and United so it’s a footballing area. The grassroots is good.”

His uncle Steve Bellis has been involved at Stockport County for more than 40 years and in February 2020 became the club president, whilst his dad Martin used to be the club mascot, Vernon Bear.

Harwood-Bellis said: “Yeah, he did it for a good time to be fair. It wasn’t just a one-time thing. He was the bear. It was sad to see him stop doing that.”

The Saints defender’s football connections extend beyond that. Former United star Roy Keane is his father-in-law to be with Harwood-Bellis engaged to the Irishman’s daughter Leah Keane. “Yeah it’s good and I take a lot of advice,” he admitted. 

The centre-back debuted for City in 2019, before loan spells with Blackburn, Anderlecht, Stoke City, Burnley, and Southampton. After the Saints were promoted last season with a play-off final win over Leeds, an obligation to buy clause was triggered in his contract.

Harwood-Bellis has been called up for England’s last two matches under Lee Carsley, who he played under when he captained England’s under-21 to victory at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023. After losing 2-1 at Wembley to Greece last month, England travel to Athens needing a win to retain a chance of automatic promotion from League B in the Nations League.

Harwood-Bellis said: “Everything’s focused on Greece, it’s a big game with the result at home so we want to go over there to get a result. It’ll be a good atmosphere and something that we’re looking forward to and we’ll take the challenge on.”