Every word Taylor Harwood-Bellis said on first England call-up

Q: What does Lee Carsley's support and this moment mean for you?

THB: Yeah, it means a lot. Obviously, it's such a proud moment. It's something that I think highly of playing for my country. 

Even in the younger age groups I really took pride in being called up for the 21s and all the way down to under-15s. 

To be called up for the first team, I knew it would be a tough ask with the quality that's in the squad.

He always said, if you're playing well at the top level and doing the best you can, then there'll be a high chance of getting called up and he stuck to his word.

Q: Did Southampton's form make you worry an England call-up wouldn't come?

THB: Yeah, it always plays on your mind. I take pride in it. It's a reflection of me, not just the whole team, of where we are in the league. 

I think if you strip it down, and from what I've been told, I've been performing well. I think from what I've been told, it seems very deserved and I'm so happy to be here.

Q: Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager. Does the new era for England motivate you?

THB: I think it'll be a big motivation for all the lads, knowing there's a new manager coming in and obviously wanting to keep your spot. 

I'm here now for this camp. It's in the senior squad, so I think that's something that especially the young lads will be pushing towards, trying to keep your spot.

It's going to be difficult because the quality and the experience of some of the lads that aren't here is massive.

It'll be difficult, but it'll be something I've got to focus on week in, week out at Southampton and if I get minutes here.

Q: Did seeing your other U21 teammates getting called up make you think you would get a call-up?

THB: Yeah, I think it was always there with Gareth (Southgate) as well. There were always young lads coming in and obviously, you've seen with the boys that went up with Lee now. 

There was always a pathway there. I thought you've just got to play well at the top level and I've done that now. I've got to keep pushing.

Q: A lot of your U21 teammates from the Euros win are in the squad, has that helped things feel familiar?

THB: Yeah, definitely. I know the boys on a good level, the lads that have obviously played in the Euros.

I've spent a lot of time with them. So, yeah, it did make it a little bit easier knowing them so personally. But everyone's been really welcoming and once you get on the pitch, it's all fine.

Q: Do you feel like you're part of a new generation?

THB: Yeah, it's just about me staying a part of it. That's my sole focus now on the English side.

I need to just keep doing what I'm doing, if not more, and keep trying to be part of it. That's my job now.

Q: Was it hard to leave Manchester City when the move came about?

THB: It was alright. I've got to play football matches and to play football matches is big for me and my career being so young. 

When I went on loan to Southampton, there was an obligation upon promotion and we did that.

At the end of the day, it wasn't my choice at the end of the year, but I was buzzing that it happened. I wanted it in there and I'm so happy to be at Southampton now.

Q: How about the influence of John Stones and Kyle Walker?

THB: Yeah, they're big influences. They're big characters and both leaders. They're always there to help on and off the pitch. They're good guys to be around.

Q: Vincent Kompany has obviously played a big part in your development.

THB: Yeah, a massive part. I had the best part of a year and a half under him. He's helped me massively and helped me personally to grow as a player and a human as well. Big thanks to him.

Q: How brave, but also how essential was it that you made that choice to go to Southampton?

THB: I think that's in my nature. I'm never going to be one who wants to sit on the bench.

That's not who I am. I grew up as a kid wanting to play football. There was nothing that I would want to do more than just kick a ball around and actually play on the football pitch. 

To go there and to be under the manager (Russell Martin) I am now and to be with the boys at Southampton, it's brilliant.

Q: Can you just sum up the feeling with the under-21s, the success that you achieve? How big is that for your confidence?

THB: Yeah, it was obviously tough at the time to get through and to get it over the line at a tournament. Looking back it's a massive achievement, something that I'm really proud of. 

All the boys that were there, we'd done it together as a team and just to celebrate afterwards, you just knew it was big. Then coming back, it was everywhere really that everyone was saying, well done.

You could just feel how big it was to the country, even though it was obviously under-21 level, you could feel how big it was. It's something I look back really fondly of.

Q: How much does it feel around St George's Park and around England now that this is a winning environment?

THB: I think it has to be. It has to be something that we demand with the quality and the experience that we have.

Especially in younger ages and obviously through to the seniors. I don't think there's any game that we go into and not firmly believe that we can win it.

I think that's demanded all the way down through the age groups and especially with the senior team.

Q: How did you find out you were in the squad? Who did you tell first?

THB: Lee rang me in the morning and just said, yeah, you'll be with us, you'll be with the seniors.

I didn't quite believe it at first.  It was a pleasant surprise. My partner was next to me, so obviously she knew.

Then I phoned my dad, who was very proud, he loves England and loves the fact that I play for England, even when it was the younger age groups. 

He was so happy and obviously told my mum, my family and my family were just, yeah, they were ecstatic.

Q: Were there any teammates you spoke to - or new teammates you've now been able to chat with?

THB: One of the first people to message was Aaron Ramsdale. He was meant to be here but he's injured now.

So yeah, he messaged straight away and I was happy to see his name just because he's one of my mates at the club.

Q: Are you focused on the World Cup in 18 months' time and what is it that's going to get you to that tournament?

THB: I think the big focus now is the two games coming up, just because they're very important games.

Getting promoted out of this group. I think that's the focus now. That's the message from Lee and the staff. The two games are very important.

Q: What attributes do you want Thomas Tuchel and Lee Carsley to see from you in this camp?

THB: I think just being myself. It's the message I've always had. Just be yourself, be confident and just do what you do at your club. 

Q: What is it about Stockport that suddenly made it a hotbed of football? 

THB: (There's) something in the air, I think, in Stockport. Yeah. I don't know. It's a good town with good people. Stockport County is a big club with good support. So there's football everywhere.

It's just down the road from Manchester with City and United. It's a footballing area. The grassroots is good.

Q: You've got football family connections with the club, Stockport County. Your uncle's heavily involved. Was that right that your dad was mascot once?

THB: Yeah. Not once. He did it for a good time to be fair. He's just not once. It wasn't just a one-time thing. He was that good at it. Yeah. He was. It's sad to see him stop doing that, to be fair. 

Q: You have got some sports in the family. Your sister's a very good basketballer.

THB: Yeah, she is. She doesn't play anymore, but she is good. She represented Great Britain. It's a sporty family.

Q: What have you gained from training with your England teammates - how has it been?

THB: I've obviously played with Marc Guéhi before with the 21s. He was always just like a steady figure.

Some of the boys have said that before about Marc. He's very mature and someone that gives good energy. He's calm and also a very good leader...

Q: Have you started calling him Uncle Mark like everyone else?

THB: No, not yet. I think hopefully a few more camps and you'll get Uncle Marc. Ezri is a really good footballer.

You can see that for Villa every week. So yeah, it's good to see the level that the boys are at and trying to match it really.

I know Jarrad well. He's been really good for Everton. It's just about matching that level and showing that I can play at that level.

Q: Have any of the attacking players surprised you this week?

THB: I wouldn't say it was a surprise, no, because the boys are here for a reason. They're all top players. So I won't say it was a surprise. Everyone's good in their own way.

I'd say obviously not one bad footballer out there. The level in training is top. It's difficult. It's difficult to compete with, but it's something that I'm enjoying and thriving on.

Q: How has it been developing under Russell Martin at Southampton?

THB: Yeah, really good. He gives good detail and just wants to help the players, especially centre-halves, as he used to play there.

He gives us a lot of info and helps us personally and obviously, he's a really good guy as well. So that helps.

Q: You're a rare breed. You're an England captain that has lifted a trophy. Can the wait for a senior title be ended?

THB: Yeah, yeah. I think that obviously a load of exciting, exciting young players coming through.

We'll obviously need a lot of help from the senior players and the experience of playing, obviously, the senior squad and senior games.

So that'll help us. But obviously, we've got a lot of energy and the experience of the 21s was incredible.

It's something that we can try and help with and stuff like that. But no, I think the senior players will be helping us more than we'll be helping them.

Q: How strong is the England centre-back pool? How tough is it for you to break into it and cement yourself? 

THB: Yeah, it's a big challenge. It's a big challenge. As you said, you just reeled some of the names off there and there's a good few more that obviously you didn't name. 

So, yeah, it's a tough ask. I've just got to focus on playing my stuff at Southampton and playing at a good level.

I need to keep maintaining the level and getting better and improving. That's the aim. When I'm here, I'm trying to impress when I'm here. And yeah, that's the most important thing.

It'll be a big challenge, as you said, with the experience and the quality of players in that centre-back position. It'll be a tough ask, but it's something that I'm excited about and I'll try my best.

Q: Lee praised your leadership - where did you get those traits from?

THB: It was a part of me when I was younger. I've been captain all the way through the age groups. At City as well.

It's something that I like, I like being seen as a leader and helping my team. People might want to come to me as their leader.

I'm in a different boat now with the seniors and at Southampton where we have a lot more senior players.

Q: How proud would your grandad be - I remember you said his last words before passing away were "Do it for City."

THB: He was a massive football fan. He loved it. He would be proud of me now. I need to keep making my family proud.

Q: There's football influence on your partner's side (Roy Keane). Do you lean on him?

THB: Yeah, I take a lot of advice. 

Q: Have you spoken about the Ireland game yet?

THB: No, everything is about Greece at the moment. We want to go over there and get a result. It's something we are looking forward to.

Q: Will you have a lot of friends and family coming to the home game?

THB: I will have a few. Even to be involved is massive for me and my family. They will be buzzing.

Q: How much have you gone through the importance of the Greece game?

THB: It's massive. We want to get promoted out of this group. We want to be in the best group for the Nations League.

Q: How do find a middle ground in the season when you are having the highs and lows?

THB: It's difficult at times when things arent going your way. It's part of being a footballer, it's not all going to be easy.

There's always going to be bumps, it's about how you react. I'm a young player and I'm always learning.

I've never been in this position before, a relegation battle. I'm trying to keep a level head. I think I'm doing alright at the minute.

Q: Does the fact you and Aaron Ramsdale got called up suggest the points tally is better than the table suggests?

THB: Definitely, especially when we review the games. It's not where we want to be, but we will keep working. Hopefully, the points come.