Kluivert Wants To Play With Bellamy

By Matthew Jones
December 8 2004

While Alan Shearer has been injured, striker Patrick Kluivert has been partnered with Craig Bellamy... something he wants to see more often. Kluivert would like tosee Graeme Souness give him and Bellamy an extended partnership, despite Alan Shearer expected to be fit by the weekend.

Newcastle are at home to Portsmouth this weekend, and should Shearer be fit as expected, Souness will have to do some serious thinking - does he leave Shearer our of the squad, or does he throw him straight back in.

Kluivert certainly doesn't want to see Shearer back in the squad straight away - not because he doesn't rate him, but because he believes he plays better with Bellamy.

The former Barcelona striker said:

"I've linked up well with Craig while Alan's been injured and we're just starting to strike up a decent partnership.

"We're both good players so I'm not surprised at how well we're matching up. The same could be said of my partnerships with Alan or Shola Ameobi.

"But what is so great about Craig is his pace and timing. He is lightening quick and makes fantastic run at the perfect moments to get on the end of my passes."

Craig Bellamy also likes playing with Kluivert, and after Newcastle's recent 1-1 draw with Everton, got himself stuck in a bit of a rut.

When interviewed after the 1-1 draw with Everton, Bellamy said:

"I know I get a lot more goals playing with Patrick"

Realising what he had just said, he tried to go back as the reporter asked:

"So you're saying Patrick rather than Alan Shearer, is that what you're saying?"

Bellamy, with a cheeky grin on his face, started to explain himself, talking faster than normal:

"No, No, No, I knew you were going to say that, I was just about to say before you took the microphone away"

"No, Alan is a great player and god you know..."

"Im a very fortunate person even if I play with...whoever it is but obviously you've out me in a right rut at the moment"

To which the reporter replied:

"I think you did that yourself"

Poor old Shearer!