Contenders: Bridge
Sunday, 28 December, 2008
Defender Wayne Bridge made five appearances for Fabio Capello's side during the 2008.
During 2008, Fabio Capello awarded caps to 35 players in ten games as England won eight, drew one and lost one. Today we look at Wayne Bridge, who was involved in half of the matches this year.
Age 28
Date of Birth 05.08.80
Caps in 2008 5
Career Caps 32
Chelsea
Wayne made five appearances for Fabio Capello's side during the year, taking his tally of England caps to 32 since his debut back in 2002.
His year finished particularly well for The Three Lions, with two full games in the away victories to Belarus and Germany. He was also involved in Wayne Rooney's second goal in Minsk that rounded of an impressive move to seal a 3-1 win.
But most memorably the Chelsea left-back created Gareth Barry's first ever goal for England, in the June friendly in Trinidad.
Linking up well with Stewart Downing down the left, Bridge reached the bye-line before hooking the ball into the path of Barry six yards out. He did the rest directing the ball past Clayton Ince to get England on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Bridge was also used as a second half substitute in the Wembley games against Switzerland in February and USA in May, replacing club-mate Ashley Cole on both occasions.