Former Wales midfielder Joe Ledley says that his former teammate Craig Bellamy can bring the “off the ball” attitude Wales have been missing in recent years.

The ex-Cardiff City and Celtic midfielder believes Bellamy will get his new side in the “opposition’s faces” and has a “desire and determination to win” which is more than anyone else Ledley played with.

Wales striker Sam Vokes echoes those thoughts saying that Bellamy “demanded the highest standards in training of any player he’s played with” and feels Bellamy is a “great choice” for Wales’ next manager.

Bellamy has taken the vacant Wales role after Rob Page was sacked following four years where he led his country to a first World Cup since 1958 and a EUROs round of 16 tie.

The challenge for Bellamy now will be to add to Wales’ success in reaching major tournaments over the last eight years and do it on a consistent basis.

Bellamy The Player

Bellamy’s youth career began at Bristol Rovers having been turned down by local club Cardiff City.

From there he moved to Norwich, signing his first professional contract at 16 and made his professional debut a year later.

He scored 13 goals in his first full season with Norwich and 17 the following year before joining Coventry and then Newcastle where Bellamy flourished alongside Alan Shearer with the pair scoring a combined 41 goals in the 2001/02 season.

Bellamy’s playing career was stacked with high-pressing, pace and aggression, attributes which proved crucial to their combinations, Shearer commenting that Bellamy was “brilliant” in extending the Premier League record goal scorer’s career due to his pace.

“He was a bit of a nuisance and defenders hated playing against him because he was loud and rude at times, but he helped me get another year or two out of my career,” said Shearer on BBC’s Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast.

Speaking exclusively to Sportin Wales, Bellamy’s former international teammate Joe Ledley expects Bellamy to introduce this approach to the national side’s playing style.

“I expect to see a lot of pressing and high tempo, getting into the opposition’s faces,” said Ledley.

“This is what this side has been missing for me, that off the ball work of getting into people’s faces and desire to get the ball back.

“In recent years it’s been more about getting back into shape and sitting deep and I expect Bellamy will change that.”

‘Determination And Want To Win’

In total, Bellamy played 78 times for Wales, scoring 19 goals with nearly 300 Premier League appearances and 80 goals with clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City as well as boyhood club Cardiff City.

Bellamy first captained the national side in 2006, becoming permanent in that role from June the following year.

During his time, Bellamy played with some of the world’s best, reaching a Champions League final with Liverpool and Ledley says he maintained those high standards as captain of the national side.

“I spent the majority of my early playing career with Wales with Bellamy either as captain or more or less captain,” said Ledley.

“He demands a lot in training, and you had to be on it 24/7 in training, he set such high standards.

“You add that to his determination which is second to none and his incredible want to win is more so than anyone I have played with.”

Speaking to Sportin Wales, Wycombe and Wales striker Sam Vokes echoed the thoughts of Ledley saying: “When I was coming through it was a big transition of player.”

“He oversaw it and it was great. He was a very vocal captain both on and off the pitch and demanded the highest standards though not in a demeaning way.

“He was someone we could all look up to and was always so tactically aware so it’s no surprise that he’s gone on to become a manager.

“You look at that that group and what we went on to do and I think it held us in good stead putting us all on edge to perform at our best at all times.”

Controversy

Bellamy’s on-the-edge approach has meant he hasn’t been short of controversy during his career.

His club career saw him receive four red cards, including what was at the time the quickest red card in Champions League history for lashing out at Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi.

But it was off the field where Bellamy’s behaviour garnered front-page attention.

In 2007, Bellamy entered Liverpool teammate John Arne Riise’s hotel room, hitting him with a golf club during a training camp in the Algarve ahead of a Champions League match against Barcelona.

Bellamy apologised publicly for the incident, and when the game came around he scored, celebrating with a golf swing before assisting Riise for the winner in a 2-1 win at the Nou Camp.

In 2019, Bellamy was once again in the headlines after accusations of bullying of an academy player he was coaching during his role as coach of the U18s side.

Bellamy left his role in January and following a nine-month investigation apologised for any offence caused.

Burnley and Tactical Style

Vincent Kompany named his former Manchester City teammate Bellamy as his assistant coach at Anderlecht in 2019 and then at Burnley ahead of their promotion to the Premier League in 2022.

Despite a disappointing season in which they were relegated, Kompany earnt praise for his progressive style, passing out from the back, getting a move to German giants Bayern Munich.

Vokes who was at Burnley from 2012 to 2019 has admired from afar at the things Kompany and Bellamy have achieved during their time in charge.

“They’ve had a certain style of football there which has earnt a lot of success,” said Vokes.

“I’m not sure exactly what his style is as he’s been working within Kompany’s system but he’s an exciting young fresh manager who will have his own philosophy to impart on the players.”

Hitting ‘Reset’ and Developing The Next Generation 

Ledley expects Bellamy to adopt the same mentality with Wales, passing out of the back whilst also offering guidance to Wales’ young attacking threats.

“If players aren’t giving 100% and buying into the way of playing then Bellamy will move them on,” said Ledley.

“I’m sure it will prove a great opportunity for the attacking players like Brennan Johnson. You look at the young players coming through and they will look up to him.

“Lewis Koumas who is someone else that I’m looking forward to seeing more of.

“Yes, the results in his first two games weren’t great but he has a spark and Craig can help him a lot and will know how to get the best out of him.”

Koumas is a player Vokes is excited to see under Bellamy’s guidance but he also sees Bellamy as a chance for a bit of a reset.

“I think it’s time now to reflect and almost press reset,” said Vokes.

“Together Stronger has been the slogan and mantra for 10 years and after the disappointment of missing out on the Euros this now could be a great opportunity.

“The Nation’s League will be a good opportunity for him to settle in.

“Personally I think it’s a great choice, when Rob Page was sacked he came to mind straight away as he’s learnt on the job at Burnley and it’s a natural progression for him having been captain and with Wales’ style of hiring from within.”

Looking at Wales’ current playing squad which players should we expect to flourish under Bellamy’s new regime?

Dan James and Johnson are two who immediately appear to fit the bill. Both are full of high energy, attacking play and will surely learn a lot from Bellamy’s guidance, while Harry Wilson and David Brooks’ technical ability should benefit from a progressive passing approach.

Whether Ethan Ampadu is used at centre back or at the base of midfield, his distribution will be crucial in providing a more progressive style.

Immediate Challenges

Bellamy faces a tough task when he takes charge with a home tie against Türkiye in the UEFA Nations League B match in September.

Türkiye have impressed during this years Euros, reaching the quarterfinals with a young side which includes Real Madrid youngster Arda Güler who scored a wonder goal in his sides first match of the tournament as well as against Wales in June last year.

Bellamy will hope that by then some of his players have secured moves to ensure regular football such as goalkeepers Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey, as well as striker Kieffer Moore.

Upon being asked if he would be tempted to join Bellamy in his coaching staff, Ledley said: “Under Bellamy I most definitely would!”

“I’d have to complete a few of my badges first and I’m sure he has his own coaching staff although I would love to wish him the best of luck and hopefully Wales can have more success in the future.”