Stoke sign Craig Bellamy like player with childish attitude

Stoke City have snapped up a deal for Austrian international forward Marko Arnautovic of Werder Bremen for a fee believed to be in the region of £2 million.

And two things that he will certainly bring to the club is pace and controversy.

The former Inter Milan striker has something of a reputation as a bad boy.

He spent time as a youth team player swapping clubs at will, after struggling to settle as a youngster - playing for five different youth teams before FC Twente of Holland took a chance on him.

Often rubbing up team-mates, fans and managers in particular up the wrong way current Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho once infamously stated that Arnautovic ‘’is a fantastic person but has the attitude of a child.’’

While at Inter Milan he was best pals with none other than Mario Balotelli - the two raising hell wherever they went no doubt.


But he is a sensational talent, with a likeable personality - who is just a little bit, spiky.

In fact he is much like Welsh international Craig Bellamy - not just in personality, but also in playing style.

Which should be good news for Stoke fans.

While Mark Hughes struggled to control the egos on show at QPR last season, that would have been a difficult juggling act for any top manager.

But when he had Bellamy at Blackburn Rovers the forward had got to the end of many peoples tethers during a stint with Newcastle United.

But while under the tutelage of Hughes, both for Wales and Blackburn, the manager got the best out of him. He channelled that fiery temperament into a steely determination and will to win that earned him a move to Liverpool in 2006.

If Hughes can do a similar job with Arnautovic, the first signing of Deadline Day at two minutes past midnight, then the 24-year-old is far from done in terms of his once promising career.

He could be a real gem signing for Stoke City this season.

image: © joncandy

Won't say Bellamy has a childish attitude, just speaks his mind and says it how it is.

Won't say Bellamy has a childish attitude, just speaks his mind and says it how it is.

I dont think they are saying Craig Bellamy is childish, just that Stokes new signing is, but hes a similar type of player. Makes me wonder if Malky could have done anything with him it could have been handy to have a spare bellers without the dodgy knees. Probably would have been more trouble than hes worth by the sounds of it though.Its a bit like buying an old motor and hoping you can do it up without breaking the bank a bit shit or bust really.

Won't say Bellamy has a childish attitude, just speaks his mind and says it how it is.

I dont think they are saying Craig Bellamy is childish, just that Stokes new signing is, but hes a similar type of player. Makes me wonder if Malky could have done anything with him it could have been handy to have a spare bellers without the dodgy knees. Probably would have been more trouble than hes worth by the sounds of it though.Its a bit like buying an old motor and hoping you can do it up without breaking the bank a bit shit or bust really.

Correct there, bit of a gamble but only time will tell if it will pay off for Stoke, he's suppose to be a good player though.

Reading Bellamy's book he had a lot of time Hughes and said he always got the best out of him.

Stoke got a real good player on there hands.