Wayne Bridge
Monday, 14 January, 2008
Wayne Bridge proved to be more than a just an understudy to Ashley Cole during 2007.
Wayne Bridge
DOB 05.08.80
2007 Caps 3, Goals 0
Career Caps 27, Goals 1
Chelsea
Former Southampton left-back Wayne Bridge featured proved he is a more than adequate replacement for Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole in 2007, for both club and country.
After winning eight Under-21 caps Bridge made his full England debut under Sven-Goran Eriksson in February 2002 and scored his first goal for the national team versus Iceland in June 2004. He also played all 90 minutes in Steve McClaren's first game in charge, against Greece in August 2006.
The 27-year-old appeared twice as a substitute in the 2002 World Cup, and during qualification for the 2006 tournament he was handed the role of England's problematic left midfield position.
Bridge impressed again during 2007; when he played in England's 3-0 victory over Estonia in Tallinn in June, his long throw-in found Joe Cole for England's first goal.
In November, he started and finished both the friendly win in Austria and the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley. He has now won an impressive 27 caps for the Three Lions.
"I like to think I can push him [Ashley Cole] and he can push me, and if he's playing he's looking over his shoulder because I'm a good player." Wayne Bridge