Hughes still unhappy about Bellamy exit
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes still feels aggrieved at the contract clause that resulted in Craig Bellamy’s exit during the summer.
Bellamy should line up against his former club at Anfield tomorrow, depending on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s now infamous squad rotation policy,
Just 12 months after joining Blackburn from Newcastle, the Wales international quit Rovers for the Reds after a release clause was triggered.
Hughes signed the striker for £5m (€7.4m), but only on the condition a clause was inserted that would allow Bellamy to leave if another club offered £6m (€8.9m).
Despite scoring 17 goals for Blackburn last term, earning him the player-of-the-season award, there were no second thoughts once the cash was on the table from Liverpool.
“Obviously Craig leaving was a blow to us when it happened,” said Hughes. “But if that clause had not been put in then he wouldn’t have come and Craig would not have had a great season here.
“That’s the situation we found ourselves in. To get a player of his quality, we had to make sure we did everything in our power.
“In doing so, we had to allow a clause we weren’t too comfortable with. We hoped it wouldn’t be invoked, but unfortunately it was.”
Hughes, though, has nothing but praise for Bellamy, who was a key figure in Rovers’ finishing a remarkable sixth in the Premiership and so qualifying for this season’s UEFA Cup.
“I was extremely pleased with the way he conducted himself here and the way he played for the team,” added Hughes.
“I know in recent weeks he has had a little bit of criticism, with some people trying to say he was a problem for me, but that was not the case.
“Every day in training he was excellent, always looking to improve himself. As a professional he was first rate.”
Bellamy, though, has found goals hard to come by this season, with his strike in Wednesday’s 3-1 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Cyprus ending a barren 13-game run for club and country since finding the net on his debut for Liverpool.
“He played exceptionally well against Cyprus, and I was pleased for him,” said Hughes.
“He was under a little bit of pressure, as all the players were, after the display at the weekend against Slovakia (losing 5-1), but I thought he put in a captain’s performance.”
With Bellamy back in the goals, Hughes is now hoping he does not become one of those players who returns to haunt a former club – especially as he has not scored in the Premiership for Liverpool.
“There are many cases of guys who have left a club, returned and scored – we hope that’s not going to be the case,” said a fearful Hughes.
But he then joked: “Maybe Mr Benitez will rotate his squad again and he won’t play!”
Hughes is keeping his fingers crossed goalkeeper Brad Friedel is fit after suffering a groin injury in the 2-1 victory over Wigan prior to the international break, with Jason Brown on standby to make his full debut.
The fitness of Australian duo Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton will be assessed following their long return journey after playing for the Socceroos in a 2-0 Asian Cup win over Bahrain on Wednesday.
Hughes’ only certain absentee is Steven Reid with an ongoing back injury.
