As of yet, it’s tough to know what’s happening regarding Craig Bellamy’s loan situation. The Welsh striker is currently on loan from Manchester City at Championship side Cardiff City. He’s obviously Premier League quality, so he won’t sign for Cardiff on a permanent basis – but what happens at the end of the season when he returns to Manchester? Will Manchester City seek to keep him, or ship him out to another Premier League side?
It’s been clear watching Bellamy play for Cardiff and Wales this season that he still has the pace and ability to frighten defences at the top level – even though he’s 31-years-old. Has he shown enough that Manchester City fans would welcome him back into their squad next season, or is it time that he looks to move on?
Despite the fact that he’s been playing at a lower level for the last season, I still believe that Bellamy could do an excellent job for Manchester City as a squad player. I personally find the prospect of Bellamy and Adam Johnson on either wing, with David Silva pushed into the middle, feeding lone striker Edin Dzeko to be a mouth-watering one.
City fans may worry about how much Bellamy could provide them with over the course of the season. His knees may be somewhat dodgy, but given the size of City’s squad, Roberto Mancini could afford to use the Welshman sparingly. As Mancini attempts to build a more balanced squad, Craig Bellamy could be an easy fix to City’s lack of pace upfront.
Age and fitness may be an issue, but Craig Bellamy is by no means a Michael Owen or Owen Hargreaves. He still has at least a season left at the very top level of the game. He’s smart, uses his pace well, can finish (check out his 35-yard free-kick in his debut for Cardiff City this season) and has bucket-loads of Premier League experience.
What he’s doing playing in the Championship is a question I can’t find an answer for. City must right this wrong by giving him a season to prove himself with them – a top club at the highest level of English football.
There’s the question of Craig Bellamy’s temperament to deal with. Bellamy has a history of causing trouble with various sides and Manchester City will be keen to avoid any further reports of their players squabbling or incurring disciplinaries. Perhaps if Craig Bellamy shared a room with the calming influence that is Mario Balotelli, this wouldn’t be a problem.
In all seriousness, however, Craig Bellamy is a decent footballer with plenty to add to Manchester City’s squad. It would be foolish not to give him a go.
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