England

Wayne Bridge Wants Ashley Cole's England Spot

City's newest signing is ready to prove to the world that he is every bit as good as the man who forced him to leave West London.

Jan 8, 2009 10:45:00 PM

FA Cup: Wayne Bridge, Manchester City v Nottingham Forest (PA)

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FA Cup: Wayne Bridge, Manchester City v Nottingham Forest (PA)

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Wayne Bridge

Many football fans - neutral, partisan or otherwise - remain bewildered that Wayne Bridge never got the chance to make the left-back slot at Chelsea his own.

Since moving from Southampton to Stamford Bridge in 2003, the Hampshire native slipped into the role of permanent understudy - first to Asier Del Horno, then to Ashley Cole.

The 28-year-old has suffered a similar fate at international level, where Cole has been a mainstay on the left side of the Three Lions' defense since his Arsenal days.

But after sealing a £10 million switch to Manchester City recently, Bridge is determined to step out of Cashley's shadow and show Luiz Felipe Scolari what he is missing out on.

When asked if he could claim a regular spot for England, Bridge told The Sun: "I hope so. But first of all I have to start playing well for Manchester City.

"Perhaps the Chelsea manager thinks Ashley is better than me. I wouldn’t come out and say I’m better than Ashley Cole but I like to think I’m up there with him.

"And I like to think the players I trained with think I’m just as good as him as well."

Bridge could make his City debut this weekend against Portsmouth, his old south-coast rivals.

--Mike Maguire, Goal.com