I've been checking out a few ex-Saints footballers, who are still of playing age, like Beatts, Fernandes, etc.., and I came across Wayne Bridge. What is happening to him..? This is a player who held the consecutive games played record for Saints, in the early part of his career. He never once played a bad game; was a cracking and reliable defender with great pace going forward or back tracking, for 90+ minutes, with a speedy, disguised and accurate cross, from the left wing.
Understandably, Bridgey was ambitious, and Saints were in the era of needing money [thank goodness that's over], and so we had to sell. OK, we got Graham Le Saux in return, plus £7M, but it wasn't the same. Le Saux was in his last year or so of playing, and he couldn't make the bombing runs down the left, or mix it up with CMFG, as Bridgey had.
When Bridge went to Chelsea he was reasonably successful, but after a while became less than ever-present, and went out on loan to Fulham. And when he went to Manchester City, it was just a matter of time before he was overtaken again. He spent a long time on loan to West Ham and apparently didn't distinguish himself too much. Now he is back at Man City and unable to get into the team. At 31, it isn't going to happen for him. But, then again, why should it..? It isn't a free ride.
I've recently read, in the Manchester Guardian, that Bridge trains alone; is out of both Champions League and Premier League squads [although he was in the squad for the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a week ago], and pockets a, frankly immoral, £90K, before tax, per week. Basically, he's a tax paid cash millionaire after 20 or so weeks, providing he doesn't go spending it. Not bad at all if you want the luxury lifestyle, which he certainly has. OK, he has to spend some of it, but you'd have to be pretty stupid to outpace around £50K incoming every 7 days. Mr McCawber would have had to have gone far to obtain a result of misery, with that..!
Here's the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/09/manchester-city-wayne-bridge
I suppose what I'm asking is, how did his priorities change..? Footballers live with a pretty good lifestyle, even lower league footballers do reasonably well. I bet the current Saints players, for instance, aren't exactly lacking in finances. Wayne went elsewhere because he wanted a consistent England career and to win a few trophies. He got one, and some, for a while, but he never hit the consistent heights many thought he was capable of. It doesn't help that Ashley Cole stood in his way, but then it seems that several players have been in his way, during his career, and they seem to stay there, while to the observer, Bridge seems content to let them. I can't say I admire his attitude. He is a professional footballer after all, and surely he wants to play competitive football while he still has time. Also, someone surely needs to take him aside and ask him what it's all about, before it's too late. Or has he always been in it for the money, really..? Or did it just grow on him gradually, and change his mind state..? With that kind of money, can anyone blame him for getting his head turned..?
Understandably, Bridgey was ambitious, and Saints were in the era of needing money [thank goodness that's over], and so we had to sell. OK, we got Graham Le Saux in return, plus £7M, but it wasn't the same. Le Saux was in his last year or so of playing, and he couldn't make the bombing runs down the left, or mix it up with CMFG, as Bridgey had.
When Bridge went to Chelsea he was reasonably successful, but after a while became less than ever-present, and went out on loan to Fulham. And when he went to Manchester City, it was just a matter of time before he was overtaken again. He spent a long time on loan to West Ham and apparently didn't distinguish himself too much. Now he is back at Man City and unable to get into the team. At 31, it isn't going to happen for him. But, then again, why should it..? It isn't a free ride.
I've recently read, in the Manchester Guardian, that Bridge trains alone; is out of both Champions League and Premier League squads [although he was in the squad for the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a week ago], and pockets a, frankly immoral, £90K, before tax, per week. Basically, he's a tax paid cash millionaire after 20 or so weeks, providing he doesn't go spending it. Not bad at all if you want the luxury lifestyle, which he certainly has. OK, he has to spend some of it, but you'd have to be pretty stupid to outpace around £50K incoming every 7 days. Mr McCawber would have had to have gone far to obtain a result of misery, with that..!
Here's the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/09/manchester-city-wayne-bridge
I suppose what I'm asking is, how did his priorities change..? Footballers live with a pretty good lifestyle, even lower league footballers do reasonably well. I bet the current Saints players, for instance, aren't exactly lacking in finances. Wayne went elsewhere because he wanted a consistent England career and to win a few trophies. He got one, and some, for a while, but he never hit the consistent heights many thought he was capable of. It doesn't help that Ashley Cole stood in his way, but then it seems that several players have been in his way, during his career, and they seem to stay there, while to the observer, Bridge seems content to let them. I can't say I admire his attitude. He is a professional footballer after all, and surely he wants to play competitive football while he still has time. Also, someone surely needs to take him aside and ask him what it's all about, before it's too late. Or has he always been in it for the money, really..? Or did it just grow on him gradually, and change his mind state..? With that kind of money, can anyone blame him for getting his head turned..?
I see what you are saying, in that he is less of a villain than the other two, but I think he has a certain arrogance which turns my stomach. As a footballer he has proven he is quality over the years though. When Frank signs for us I will no doubt be torn ;-)
