Filed under: Manchester City, Sunderland, Premier League, Football
Steve Bruce never seems to have been too concerned about taking the odd risk during his managerial career and Craig Bellamy certainly falls into that category.He has done so when it comes to moving jobs from one club to another and he has done so with his transfer policy on several occasions.
One of his most notable attempts to give direction to a wayward star came when he offered French international Christophe Dugarry a home at St Andrew's when he was manager of Birmingham City.
Bruce was warned against such a move and ignored his advisers. The result was one season of absolute genius from Dugarry which Birmingham fans who witnessed it will never forget.
The Sunderland manager has never been afraid to back his judgement and his lengthy time leading the dressing room as a player at Old Trafford, where he had to try and keep in check such mavericks as Eric Cantona, means he has that man-management touch which many others lack.
Which is why Sunderland should be pulling out all the stops to give Bruce the backing to bring Bellamy to the Stadium of Light - despite his previous Newcastle association.
Bellamy could have the same kind of impact at Sunderland that Bruce coaxed out of Dugarry. It could be the kind of alliance that works.
Bellamy, in the words of the late Sir Bobby Robson, is a "great player, wrapped round an unusual and volatile character." That is something we have known for several years.
But his ability to give Sunderland something they have been crying out for since Bruce walked through the doors at the Stadium of Light is still there for all to see.
Sunderland will need to be creative with their wage structure and will need Manchester City to help out with Bellamy's £85,000-a-week current deal, but it would be worth it.
That is why Bruce is preparing one last effort to get Bellamy through the door, just days after the Wales international made it clear he has no interest in moving to Celtic on loan.
Bellamy has been told he will not figure at City by manager Roberto Mancini and Bruce would love him to provide the creativity which has been lost by the departure of Steed Malbranque.
"City can only pick 25, so every manager is looking at Manchester City and knows which players are available," said Bruce, who has already signed nine players this summer.
Bruce has a hole on the left side of his team, despite agreeing a fee with Derry City for highly-rated left-winger James McClean, but is also keen to recruit Bellamy after giving up on a move for his club team-mate Adam Johnson.
"In an ideal world I want a natural wide player on the left who can go past players. So if there is someone who becomes available it would be interesting," said Bruce.
"The one left-winger we wanted (Charles N'Zogbia) was too expensive. It would be great to get a natural left-winger. Where are they? I could possibly have to look abroad for one."
Bruce has also been given permission to speak to Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Bolton and Wigan are also waiting to hold talks with the 29-year-old, who has been told he can leave the Etihad Stadium.
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