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Gareth Barry Hails Manchester City Team-Mate Wayne Bridge's Professional Performance At Chelsea
Terry won't be given a tough time by his international team-mates...
02-Mar-2010 2:10:00 AM
By Adithya Ananth
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has praised team-mate Wayne Bridge for his professional display during the recent 4-2 victory over Chelsea.
Off-field controversies formed the basis of pre-match assumptions that tension between Bridge and counterpart John Terry would be high, but the full-back put in a respectable performance on the pitch amid heavy barracking from the opposition crowd.
The 29-year-old left-back recently made himself unavailable for international selection citing the friction between the Chelsea skipper and himself, and his City colleague Barry has accepted his decision.
"Of course, I am sad to see [that] Wayne has pulled out of the England squad," he said, according to Sky Sports.
"He is a great player and would improve the squad and team when he plays, continued the midfielder. "But like many other people have said, I respect his decision.
"You can't imagine yourself in that position and what you'd do unless it happens to you. Being the person Wayne is, he didn't want to rub anything in.
"He used to play for Chelsea, he kept his emotions to himself and his performance was brilliant."
There has been some talk of Bridge's sympathisers among the England squad, who could give the former national team captain a hard time, but the ex-Aston Villa midfielder doubts it will be the case.
"It's personal issues and as professionals you have to put it aside," added Barry.
"Once we are together it will all be forgotten and we will try to win a game of football because that is what it is all about."
Off-field controversies formed the basis of pre-match assumptions that tension between Bridge and counterpart John Terry would be high, but the full-back put in a respectable performance on the pitch amid heavy barracking from the opposition crowd.
The 29-year-old left-back recently made himself unavailable for international selection citing the friction between the Chelsea skipper and himself, and his City colleague Barry has accepted his decision.
"Of course, I am sad to see [that] Wayne has pulled out of the England squad," he said, according to Sky Sports.
"He is a great player and would improve the squad and team when he plays, continued the midfielder. "But like many other people have said, I respect his decision.
"You can't imagine yourself in that position and what you'd do unless it happens to you. Being the person Wayne is, he didn't want to rub anything in.
"He used to play for Chelsea, he kept his emotions to himself and his performance was brilliant."
There has been some talk of Bridge's sympathisers among the England squad, who could give the former national team captain a hard time, but the ex-Aston Villa midfielder doubts it will be the case.
"It's personal issues and as professionals you have to put it aside," added Barry.
"Once we are together it will all be forgotten and we will try to win a game of football because that is what it is all about."
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