The transfer of Bellamy from Manchester City to Cardiff City in the summer was one of the most unexpected moves of the transfer window but it has proved a shrewd piece of business for Cardiff who are currently two points clear at the top of the Championship.<\/p>\n
And Rodgers has admitted of his admiration for the Welsh international as he prepares for his first taste of South Wales derbies on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cCardiff are a strong, experienced squad and they have shown that this season,<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Craig Bellamy they have got a Champions League player.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a big talent and a player I have always admired from the outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a top Premiership player and I felt when I saw him that he could also be a top Champions League player. To have that in the Championship is a massive weapon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat great players do, outstanding players, is they make those around them better and he (Bellamy) has certainly done that. He plays the game the right way.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is not trying to do everything, he knows his role well and he is a big influence for the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got experience at this level and a group of players who have been together for quite a while now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watched them at Leeds last week and I thought they were very impressive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they looked a very good side with good players.\u201d<\/p>\n