Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has defended Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he was left out of the squad for their 3-1 Championship victory over Stoke City amid interest from Aston Villa.
Harwood-Bellis is a target for the Premier League side, with Eckert acknowledging the difficult circumstances surrounding the 24-year-old as he considers his future.
“He’s a 24-year-old man, and he has left absolutely everything here for this club in the last season,” Eckert said.
“He loves this club so much, he loves his teammates so much, but then at the same time you have an offer coming in.
“Obviously, you have some thoughts about how it is to play Champions League football, and if you find yourself in that position it’s not easy.”
Eckert insisted the decision to leave Harwood-Bellis out was his own and refused to place any blame on the defender.
“We’ve made that decision to put our full trust into the boys that were on the pitch in the end, and I think they have paid that back,” he added.
“I don’t let any blame go on him. In the end it’s always my decision, and again I’m very pleased and happy for everyone who was on the pitch today.
“Every moment of the season brings different challenges, and there’s absolutely no doubt about the quality of Taylor as a player.
“I just think for every single game there’s always a consideration of who is in the best condition to perform, and the quality of a player comes into that.
“But there’s also more to it than that, so for today that was the decision, and if you win, you’re always right.”
Asked whether Southampton would look to replace Harwood-Bellis if he leaves before the September 1 deadline, Eckert said: “Taylor is still a Southampton player.”
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