Bellamy in the Olympics

Great Britain’s men’s team have been doing quite well in the Olympic football so far, with a draw against Senegal and then a good victory over the UAE. One man who has been instrumental in getting these results is Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy has been playing well since the start of the Olympic campaign, scoring Team GB’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Senegal. He also played superbly against the UAE, creating some great chances for other team-mates. I was particularly impressed with his crossing. The Welsh international signed for Liverpool at the start of the 2011/12 campaign on a free transfer, but hasn’t been particularly successful at the club. However, in the few games he has played, he has shown promising signs.

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has offered all Liverpool players a fresh start under his regime. Personally, I hope Bellamy will seize this opportunity and possibly even break into the first team. His form at the Olympics has been exquisite, and if he is able to carry that over into the new season I think he will be an asset to Liverpool. He has also been combining well in the Olympics with fellow Welshman Joe Allen, who seems likely to join LFC. If this happens, the two players will hopefully continue to gel, and in turn bring good results for the club. 

However, it cannot be denied that Bellamy is ageing. Although he is still a very advanced player technically, his once explosive pace isn’t what it once was, and unfortunately he may not be able to keep up to a professional standard much longer. There is also quite a lot of interest in him from his former club, Cardiff, and Liverpool could not be blamed for trying to sell him. Saying this, I personally think he should definitely stay at the club. He has been able to keep his fitness at a world-class level for a long time already, and I see no reason why he can’t stick around for a while longer!

Overall, I think Bellamy should seize the opportunity he has been given at LFC. A new manager means another chance, and Bellamy is certainly impressing in Team GB. If he transfers this form to the Premier League for Liverpool, he may have a big hand in leading the club to success in the coming season.