Wayne Bridge

[WeAreTheBest]

Dont really rate him myself....

Wayne Bridge has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has failed in another attempt to take Gabriel Heinze to Anfield.

Benitez attempted to sign Heinze from Manchester United last summer, but the Argentina left back moved to Real Madrid.
Although both players have played in the Champions League this season, Benitez is building for the long term and Bridge is one of a number of left backs on his shortlist.

Chelsea would be reluctant to sell one of their assets to another top four club, but Bridge may agitate for the move to go through in the transfer window after another season spent largely on the sidelines.

Despite playing in Chelsea's last two games, Bridge believes he is still the second-choice left back behind Ashley Cole.

Bridge is flattered by Liverpool's interest, although Anfield chief executive Rick Parry has yet to make formal contact with Peter Kenyon over his possible transfer.

Bridge, widely considered to be Chelsea's best left back last season, signed a new long-term contract in July, but he continues to be frustrated by his lack of opportunities.

Despite a change of management, Bridge remains behind Cole in the Chelsea pecking order and he is tempted by the prospect of joining Liverpool.

Chelsea are already beginning to make changes to their squad and yesterday they agreed a £4million fee with Lokomotiv Moscow for central defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Serb, who plays alongside Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic for his country, is expected to sign for Chelsea ahead of their FA Cup third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers.

With skipper John Terry failing to make any progress after he broke three bones in a foot, Grant has decided to bring in reinforcements for his defence.

Interestingly, Ivanovic can also play left back and that may encourage the Chelsea manager to release Bridge if he receives a concrete offer from Liverpool.

Chelsea's squad has been decimated through injury and suspension — Ricardo Carvalho is serving a three-match ban following his two-footed lunge on Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor on Boxing Day — but Ivanovic can provide cover.

The 6ft 3in defender played in last summer's European Under 21 Championship in Holland and scored for the senior side against Portugal in their Euro 2008 qualifier last year.

Chelsea are also putting the finishing touches to their move for Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka and are hopeful it will be concluded before the weekend.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...79&ito=newsnow

[WeAreTheBest]

Wayne Bridge’s unhappy 3½year spell at Chelsea could end with a £6 million move to Liverpool, one of their main rivals for the Barclays Premier League title.

The left back, 27, whose appearances at Stamford Bridge have been limited since the arrival of Ashley Cole from Arsenal, has already turned down the chance to switch to three top-flight rivals, but he may view the chance of resurrecting his career at Anfield more positively. He is one of the leading targets for Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, after a failed attempt to sign Gabriel Heinze, the former Manchester United defender.

Bridge’s prospects at Chelsea dipped almost as soon as the transfer window opened on Tuesday, when the club lined up a deal for Branislav Ivanovic, of Lokomotiv Moscow. The Serbia defender is expected to complete a £10 million move in the next few days.

Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lokomotiv but need to finalise the terms of a four-year contract with Ivanovic, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Juventus. The 23-year-old can operate anywhere along the back four, but despite playing regularly on the right claims to be most comfortable at left back.

Ivanovic is valued for his versatility and is likely to make his initial impact at centre back, where Chelsea have seemed vulnerable since John Terry was ruled out for several months with a fractured foot. Although relatively young, Ivanovic is not inexperienced, with nine full caps and the kudos that followed from being named in the team of the tournament at last year’s European Under21 Championship, where Serbia reached the final.

Roman Abramovich’s willingness to offer such significant backing to Avram Grant so early in the transfer window ? in contrast to his refusal to buy a single player for José Mourinho 12 months ago ? indicates his faith in his first-team coach and his determination to keep Chelsea in the title race.

Grant is likely to make several more new signings before the end of the month, with Nicolas Anelka expected to complete a £10 million move from Bolton Wanderers next week, and Ivanovic could also be reunited with his Lokomotiv teammate, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a versatile attacking midfield player with 19 caps for Russia.

Grant also wants to keep Bridge at the club but may not be able to do so, with Liverpool ready to offer him an attractive alternative and prepared to pay £6 million despite the internal wrangling over their transfer budget.

Bridge was badly affected by Chelsea’s controversial signing of Cole 18 months ago and will not take kindly to the impending signing of another rival. He was already disillusioned at what he perceived as the preferential treatment afforded Cole, with the former Arsenal defender generally selected for Chelsea’s most important matches.

Bridge rejected overtures from Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Fulham before signing a new contract at Chelsea last season, but he would view an approach from Liverpool quite differently.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3123889.ece

[Joe Strummer]

He's better than what we currently have at left back!

[billybonzo]

From the Hate Mail, hmmmm could be bullshit, i read about this a week or 2 back and dismissed it as rubbish, but who knows, we are being linked with a few players which is a little surprising considering whats going on ? As for Bridge ive never seen that much of him to be honest but he has to be an improvement on JAR.

[stig]

He is no better than Aurellio. Tends to be injury prone like Fab aswell.

[James Dean]

Another squad player. Happy days!

[stig]

We need a Left Winger - Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Robben, Mancini standard. Pity there isn't that many out there to choose from.

[billybonzo]

They seem to be signing 1 or 2 aswell which is a bit ominous for us dont ya think, this guy seems the type we should be going for, ie can play centre back and left back, is a proven international to i think, could be wrong, and all for £4 million, hope we have a few rabbits to pull out the hat.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by WeAreTheBest Wayne Bridge’s unhappy 3½year spell at Chelsea could end with a £6 million move to Liverpool, one of their main rivals for the Barclays Premier League title. The left back, 27, whose appearances at Stamford Bridge have been limited since the arrival of Ashley Cole from Arsenal, has already turned down the chance to switch to three top-flight rivals, but he may view the chance of resurrecting his career at Anfield more positively. He is one of the leading targets for Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, after a failed attempt to sign Gabriel Heinze, the former Manchester United defender. Bridge’s prospects at Chelsea dipped almost as soon as the transfer window opened on Tuesday, when the club lined up a deal for Branislav Ivanovic, of Lokomotiv Moscow. The Serbia defender is expected to complete a £10 million move in the next few days. Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lokomotiv but need to finalise the terms of a four-year contract with Ivanovic, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Juventus. The 23-year-old can operate anywhere along the back four, but despite playing regularly on the right claims to be most comfortable at left back. Ivanovic is valued for his versatility and is likely to make his initial impact at centre back, where Chelsea have seemed vulnerable since John Terry was ruled out for several months with a fractured foot. Although relatively young, Ivanovic is not inexperienced, with nine full caps and the kudos that followed from being named in the team of the tournament at last year’s European Under21 Championship, where Serbia reached the final. Roman Abramovich’s willingness to offer such significant backing to Avram Grant so early in the transfer window ? in contrast to his refusal to buy a single player for José Mourinho 12 months ago ? indicates his faith in his first-team coach and his determination to keep Chelsea in the title race. Grant is likely to make several more new signings before the end of the month, with Nicolas Anelka expected to complete a £10 million move from Bolton Wanderers next week, and Ivanovic could also be reunited with his Lokomotiv teammate, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a versatile attacking midfield player with 19 caps for Russia. Grant also wants to keep Bridge at the club but may not be able to do so, with Liverpool ready to offer him an attractive alternative and prepared to pay £6 million despite the internal wrangling over their transfer budget. Bridge was badly affected by Chelsea’s controversial signing of Cole 18 months ago and will not take kindly to the impending signing of another rival. He was already disillusioned at what he perceived as the preferential treatment afforded Cole, with the former Arsenal defender generally selected for Chelsea’s most important matches. Bridge rejected overtures from Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Fulham before signing a new contract at Chelsea last season, but he would view an approach from Liverpool quite differently. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3123889.ece

We wish

[billybonzo]

Originally Posted by WeAreTheBest Wayne Bridge’s unhappy 3½year spell at Chelsea could end with a £6 million move to Liverpool, one of their main rivals for the Barclays Premier League title. The left back, 27, whose appearances at Stamford Bridge have been limited since the arrival of Ashley Cole from Arsenal, has already turned down the chance to switch to three top-flight rivals, but he may view the chance of resurrecting his career at Anfield more positively. He is one of the leading targets for Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, after a failed attempt to sign Gabriel Heinze, the former Manchester United defender. Bridge’s prospects at Chelsea dipped almost as soon as the transfer window opened on Tuesday, when the club lined up a deal for Branislav Ivanovic, of Lokomotiv Moscow. The Serbia defender is expected to complete a £10 million move in the next few days. Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lokomotiv but need to finalise the terms of a four-year contract with Ivanovic, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Juventus. The 23-year-old can operate anywhere along the back four, but despite playing regularly on the right claims to be most comfortable at left back. Ivanovic is valued for his versatility and is likely to make his initial impact at centre back, where Chelsea have seemed vulnerable since John Terry was ruled out for several months with a fractured foot. Although relatively young, Ivanovic is not inexperienced, with nine full caps and the kudos that followed from being named in the team of the tournament at last year’s European Under21 Championship, where Serbia reached the final. Roman Abramovich’s willingness to offer such significant backing to Avram Grant so early in the transfer window ? in contrast to his refusal to buy a single player for José Mourinho 12 months ago ? indicates his faith in his first-team coach and his determination to keep Chelsea in the title race. Grant is likely to make several more new signings before the end of the month, with Nicolas Anelka expected to complete a £10 million move from Bolton Wanderers next week, and Ivanovic could also be reunited with his Lokomotiv teammate, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a versatile attacking midfield player with 19 caps for Russia. Grant also wants to keep Bridge at the club but may not be able to do so, with Liverpool ready to offer him an attractive alternative and prepared to pay £6 million despite the internal wrangling over their transfer budget. Bridge was badly affected by Chelsea’s controversial signing of Cole 18 months ago and will not take kindly to the impending signing of another rival. He was already disillusioned at what he perceived as the preferential treatment afforded Cole, with the former Arsenal defender generally selected for Chelsea’s most important matches. Bridge rejected overtures from Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Fulham before signing a new contract at Chelsea last season, but he would view an approach from Liverpool quite differently. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3123889.ece

Originally Posted by StevieH We wish

That says it all for me lads.

[StevieH]

Bridge - decent left back, a bit injury prone, but surely £6m would be better spent in other areas?

[King Emlyn]

He's fucking shite.

[Spy Bee]

I used to rate him before he went to Chelsea.

[Rashid]

Absolute dog shit.

[WaltonRed]

6m!!!!!!!!!! *drops dead*

[Thants]

Can be good, can be appalling. It's bullshit anyway.

[Alonso]

6 Million ffs, when chavs are buying that lad from Loc.Moscow for 4m who can play centre and left back.

[moxter]

Not better than Riise or Aurelio. Why do we need a third left back? (Fourth if you count Arbeloa, fifth if you count Insua)?