Celtic transfer scouting: Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ko Itakura

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Position: Centre-back; Age: 20; Height: 6ft 1in; Nationality: English

The England under-21s centre-back has had an interesting season, spending the first half with City legend Vincent Kompany at Belgian side Anderlecht.

This loan spell proved unsuccessful and he returned to England in January, where he would ultimately go out on loan to Stoke City and impress across the rest of the season.

Harwood-Bellis played as the right centre-back in a 4-4-2 at Anderlecht - which could explain why he found it difficult - whereas at Stoke he was used as either the right centre-back or left centre-back in a back three.

Harwood-Bellis's heatmap at Anderlecht

In Belgium, at a higher level, he would have had fewer options in his build-up play going forward into a two-man midfield and thus would have needed to be more accurate with his passing.

At Stoke, the Potters' 3-5-2 system helped protect Harwood-Bellis from more difficult phases of play and allowed him to develop confidence in his game. He was mainly used on the left-hand side - as his heatmap below demonstrates - and was able to get forward more to affect games.

Harwood-Bellis's heatmap at Stoke City

Looking at his percentile chart from his time in Belgium, it’s clear that he struggled to break lines and find his midfield in front of him. He would therefore generally opt for safer passes, in a similar fashion to how Carl Starfelt operates at Celtic.

Defensively, his mobility helps him to intercept possession often and create transitions. Offensively he registers high xG in both the Belgian top-flight and English Championship, suggesting a good ability to attack crossed balls.

At Stoke, it’s clear he was a lot more comfortable in the 3-5-2 system as his build-up play becomes a lot stronger. Defensively, he will need to improve his ground and aerial duel success rates but it is worth pointing out that this is a natural point of progression and younger defenders tend to rank lower than their more experienced colleagues in these regards.

If indeed Harwood-Bellis is brought in to develop under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, it could prove a clever piece of business.

On the other hand, if a move north is only a loan deal then as it stands he is quite far off the current overall ability of Celtic starters in his position and the question would become are the Hoops developing a player for no real gain?

Ko Itakura

Position: Centre-back/defensive midfielder; Age: 25; Height 6ft 1in; Nationality: Japanese

Itakura has experience playing across each centre-back role, whether that be in a three or a two. This allows him to cover at left, right or in the centre of a back three.

As the heatmap below shows, Itakura saw a lot of action in the defensive areas but also took possession higher up the field when helping build-up.

Another benefit he brings is his capability of playing as a 6. His combination of defensive and technical ability would offer a strong backup option for Callum McGregor or even offer Postecoglou the option to move to a double pivot if he wanted to go slightly more defensive.

Itakura is 6ft 1in but is not - as can be seen in his percentile chart below - particularly dominant aerially. He is, however, mobile. This allows him to intercept and show aggression in ground duels. 

Were he to join, he would instantly be the most technical centre-back on the ball at Celtic. He is able to break lines with passing or carrying as well as offering a potent goal threat in the opposition box.