Mancini - Bellamy my friend

City boss plays down rumours of a problem with striker

Last updated: 27th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mancini - Bellamy my friend

Bellamy: Started on bench

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New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists there are 'no problems' with Craig Bellamy following Mark Hughes' sacking.

Bellamy has been one of City's best players this season, but was dropped to the bench for Mancini's first game in charge against Stoke City on Boxing Day.

Reports have claimed that Welsh ace Bellamy is upset at the manner of Hughes' departure from Eastlands and he has been linked with a January move to Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Mancini is confident Bellamy is happy to stay at the club after bringing the forward on for the final 20 minutes of the 2-0 win over Stoke.

No problem

"Bellamy is my friend," said Mancini.

"There is no problem. I spoke with him two days ago. He understood when I told him he wasn't starting.

"We have two games in three days and I need all the players at 100%. Today we played Robinho. It is possible we will play Craig at Wolves on Monday."

The City fans certainly delivered their verdict, affording Bellamy a rapturous reception as he replaced the ineffective Robinho, who started up front alongside Carlos Tevez and failed to make a major impact.

Mancini was satisfied with Robinho's display against the Potters and explained his thinking behind replacing the Brazilian with Bellamy.

"I was not disappointed with Robinho's performance," he insisted.

"He played well. But after 65 minutes he was tired and I needed to make a change."