Wayne Bridge

Wayne Michael Bridge (born August 5, 1980) is an England football (soccer) defender (soccer), who currently plays left back for Chelsea F.C.. He is widely known for his superb left foot, which allows him to cross and pass accurately from long range.

Club career

Southampton

Bridge was born in Southampton, but moved to Winchester at an early age. He was "spotted" by Micky Adams when playing for Olivers Battery F.C. and recommended to Southampton F.C., who signed him as a trainee in July 1996. He made his reserve team debut, as a striker against Portsmouth F.C. on 13 August 1997 and turned professional in January 1998.

He made his first-team debut on 16 August 1998 (the opening day of the 1998-99 in English football) coming on as a replacement for John Beresford (footballer), who had badly damaged his knee. Bridge made his first senior start in the next match on 22 August in a 5-0 defeat away to Charlton Athletic F.C.. As Southampton struggled to pick up points (with only two points after the first nine games), Bridge played (on the left wing) in most of Saints' league games until early December before losing his place to Hassan Kachloul. For the remainder of the FA Premier League 1998-99 Bridge was only used occasionally, as Saints narrowly completed their "Great Escape" from relegation. He completed his first season as a first-team player with 15 starts and 8 substitute appearances.

The 1999-00 in English football Premier League carried on in a simiar vein with Bridge making occasional appearances on the left-wing until injuries to Francis Benali and the poor form of his intended replacement Patrick Colleter gave Bridge the opportunity to play at left-back, where he soon became a fixture in the Saints starting line-up. In the FA Premier League 1999-00 he made 15 starts (plus four substitute appearances) scoring his first senior goal, with a powerful free-kick over the wall, in the final match of the season on 14 May 2000 against Wimbledon F.C., as a result of which Wimbledon were relegated to Division 1 after 14 years in the top flight.

In the 2000-01 in English football Bridge was an ever-present at left-back as Saints finished their final season at The Dell (Southampton F.C.) in tenth place in the FA Premier League 2000-01. Bridge was rewarded by being voted the Southampton Player of the Year for the 2000-01 season.

Bridge was "fast, determined, skilful and full of youthful promise" and "his forward runs became an exciting sight at The Dell and then at St Mary's." He was an ever present yet again in the following season as Saints again finished their 2001-02 in English football at their new St Mary's Stadium comfortably in mid-table.

His temperament and consistency, together with a high level of fitness, enabled him to continue to play every match until 18 January 2003 when he limped off with an injury in a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool F.C.. This brought to an end a run of 113 consecutive appearances, a Premiership record for an outfield player (since surpassed by Frank Lampard). His run started on 4 March 2000 since when Bridge had played 10,160 consecutive minutes of Premiership football, not missing a single minute's play through injury or suspension.

By now, bigger clubs were trailing Bridge, and he was finally tempted away to join Chelsea F.C. for £7 million in the 2003 close season. His last appearance for the club came in the FA Cup Final 2003 defeat to Arsenal F.C.. During his five years as a Saints first-team player, he made 174 appearances, with two league goals.

Chelsea

After five years with the Saints, Bridge moved to Chelsea in July 2003 for a fee of £7 million plus Graeme Le Saux, and was initially a regular starter. His finest moment came in the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal in 2003-04. Bridge scored the winning goal in the 88th minute to send Chelsea into the semi-finals and end an 18 game winless run against Arsenal. The goal was later voted goal of the season. Bridge also scored against Besiktas and Portsmouth in 2003-04 season.

For the 2005-06 season Chelsea signed Spain left-back Asier del Horno and Bridge faced a challenge to get back into the side when he recovered from the injury that kept him out of the team in the latter stages of the 2004-05 campaign.

Fulham

Limited first team opportunities saw him join Fulham on loan on 19 January 2006. He made his debut in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United F.C. at Upton Park. The move seemed to benefit him as he managed to secure his place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad for the tournament in Germany. During his short spell at Fulham F.C. he was nicknamed Putney by the Fulham fans, the nickname coming from Putney Bridge which is located near Craven Cottage.

Return to Chelsea

Bridge' main competition for the Chelsea left back spot has now come from fellow England international left back Ashley Cole. Bridge played the full match in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Manchester City FC on the opening-day of the 2006-07 English Premier League season, providing a telling cross for the third goal, scored by a header from Didier Drogba. However his strong early season form was not enough to hold down the left-back position, with Mourinho preferring Ashley Cole in most games. However, following Ashley Cole's injury in the 3-0 Premier League win against Blackburn Rovers early in 2007, Bridge became Chelsea's natural choice for left-back. Although Cole made a speedy recovery and reclaimed his starting position, Bridge received much praise from his manager and team-mates, and many football pundits believed he performed better than Cole in the left-back position while Cole was injured.

He featured in attack for an injury struck Chelsea side against Football League Two side Wycombe in the 2007 semi-final 1st leg Carling Cup match, scoring one goal in the process.

He is however know as the 'Rodney' of the group since the Football League Cup Final 2007, when after the match during a 5Live interview he said that he was pleased that they (Chelsea) got the 3 points, despite it being a cup game.

International career

During his time with Southampton, all Bridge's managers (Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle and Stuart Gray (footballer)) predicted full international honours He quickly proved himself, and appeared twice as a substitute in the Football World Cup 2002, although he did not appear at all in Euro 2004, with Ashley Cole being preferred.

During the qualifying for the Football World Cup 2006, he was given the role of playing in England's problematic left midfield role, but he lost this to his Chelsea team mate Joe Cole (footballer) when he was injured. He returned to the England team for a friendly against Argentina national football team in November 2005, covering for the injured Cole at left back and winning his 21st cap, but as he is four months older than Cole, and does not play in midfield for his club, he is likely to find it very difficult ever to become a regular first choice player for England.

He played in the European Championship Qualifying match against Estonia national football team on 6 June 2007, which England won 3-0.

Private life

Bridge has since become a father with girlfriend, model and actress, , who gave birth to their son Jaydon Jean Claude Bridge, and celebrated by signing a new 4-year contract with Chelsea on November 22 2006. Bridge regards "Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend" by Francesca Simon as his favourite book, and Das EFX as his favourite band.

Honours

Southampton F.C.
- FA Cup finalist (FA Cup Final 2003)

Chelsea F.C.
- Premier League (FA Premier League 2004-05)
- Football League Cup (Football League Cup Final 2007)
- FA Cup (FA Cup Final 2007)

International goals

Notes and references

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