PLAYER PROFILE

Wayne Bridge

Position: Defence

Height: 5'10

Weight: 10st 10lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-08-05 Southampton, England

Wayne Bridge

Wayne Bridge is one of the brightest young stars of the English game. A left back, he has won many admirers since making his 1997 debut for Southampton.

After being linked with moves to clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United, he finally became part of Chelski's Russian revolution in July 2003, becoming the third big signing by the club since its takeover by billionaire oil tycoon Roman Abramovich earlier that month.

Bridge became an established England international under Sven-Goran Eriksson, he enjoyed his first taste of the World Cup when he replaced Michael Owen for the last 10 minutes of England's victory over Argentina, his international debut coming in the previous February against Holland in Amsterdam.

Bridge made well over 100 Premiership appearances for the Saints, and also played a part in Southampton's FA Cup run that ended in defeat to Arsenal in May 2003.

After his �7million move to the Blues, he established himself as a member of the first team in spite of Claudio Ranieri's constant tinkering. He continued his progress and both club and international level.

Among Chelsea's star-studded squad, the 2004/05 season proved a little frustrating for Bridge. Although he started both of Chelsea's opening two games of the season against Manchester United and Birmingham City, his appearances were fleeting from then on.

In February, a broken ankle in a tough FA Cup tie against Newcastle United ended his season.

On his return from injury Bridge found his left-back position at Mourinho's Chelsea occupied by new signing Asier Del Horno. Desperate to play in World Cup year, but with Mourinho not keen on selling the player, a loan deal with neighbours Fulham was arranged as Bridge looked to get his career back on track.

He did very well at Fulham, though it was not quite enough to earn him a place in the England team for the World Cup ahead of Ashley Cole, although he was included in the squad for the trip to Germany.

He returned more regularly in 2006/07, making 27 starts, and continued his developement in the following campaign. However, he is still very much a second stringer and will be hoping to stake his claim to the first team in 08/09.