WAYNE BRIDGE

WAYNE BRIDGE

WAYNE BRIDGE
Wayne responded perfectly to the arrival at Chelsea of his long-time rival for the England left-back shirt by producing his best form since his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Ashley Cole and he shared the 2006/7 season appearances between them but Cole's injury problems ensured Wayne started both the FA Cup and Carling Cup Final wins. The comeback from a broken ankle suffered in February 2005 was complete.

He signed for Chelsea for £7 million on the same day as Damien Duff, the long-serving Graeme Le Saux going in the other direction to Southampton where Wayne had come through the ranks and progressed to international standard.

Possibly his best moment to date came as he scored a late Champions League winner at Highbury. His goal that destroyed Arsenal's Champions League dream is one of the great Chelsea moments.

Steady in defence and a bundle of energy going forward, his crossing was a potent weapon last campaign. Unfortunately a hip operation, carried out in the United States during the club's pre-season visit there, ruled him out at the start of the 2007/8 season.