It was certainly a surprise that, after Roberto Mancini had indicated defender Wayne Bridge no longer had a role to play in the Manchester City squad, the left back hadn't secured a club to move to in the transfer window.
Certainly he had offers, most notably a move north of the border to play with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. It was certainly a surprise to me when he turned down this offer, but now it appears that he could be returning to London on loan.
West Ham, where Bridge spent time on loan last season, have rekindled their interest after Herita Ilunga was set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines. The move will depend on Bridge’s acceptance of dropping down a Division in order to obtain regular football.
Last season he joined West Ham in January, and was instantly involved in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Wayne would go on to appear 18 times in all competitions before they would part company.
Currently, the Hammers find themselves in a good position in the Championship, and will be one of the hot favorites for a quick Premier League return after four wins from their first six games, including a 4-0 win away to Watford.
If Sam Allardyce can secure the services of the 31-year-old, then he will get a wealth of defensive talent. Bridge boasts Chelsea as one of his previous employers, and has 36 England caps, getting his first against Holland on February 13th 2002.
He quickly impressed, and was selected in the squad to travel to Japan/Korea for the 2002 World Cup where he appeared twice as sub. Then there was the emergence of Ashley Cole, and that was where both for club (then Chelsea) and country he fell down the pecking order, making no appearances in Euro 2004.
After the altercation with fellow England team mate, and former club team mate, John Terry, Bridge announced his withdrawal from International duty almost exactly eight years after his debut. This made the Brazil tie on the previous November Wayne’s last appearance in England colours.
Certainly it would be a great move for all three parties involved, City will offload another player, West Ham will strengthen their chase for promotion and Bridge will do what he claims he always just wanted to do, play football.
Certainly he had offers, most notably a move north of the border to play with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. It was certainly a surprise to me when he turned down this offer, but now it appears that he could be returning to London on loan.
West Ham, where Bridge spent time on loan last season, have rekindled their interest after Herita Ilunga was set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines. The move will depend on Bridge’s acceptance of dropping down a Division in order to obtain regular football.
Last season he joined West Ham in January, and was instantly involved in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Wayne would go on to appear 18 times in all competitions before they would part company.
Currently, the Hammers find themselves in a good position in the Championship, and will be one of the hot favorites for a quick Premier League return after four wins from their first six games, including a 4-0 win away to Watford.
If Sam Allardyce can secure the services of the 31-year-old, then he will get a wealth of defensive talent. Bridge boasts Chelsea as one of his previous employers, and has 36 England caps, getting his first against Holland on February 13th 2002.
He quickly impressed, and was selected in the squad to travel to Japan/Korea for the 2002 World Cup where he appeared twice as sub. Then there was the emergence of Ashley Cole, and that was where both for club (then Chelsea) and country he fell down the pecking order, making no appearances in Euro 2004.
After the altercation with fellow England team mate, and former club team mate, John Terry, Bridge announced his withdrawal from International duty almost exactly eight years after his debut. This made the Brazil tie on the previous November Wayne’s last appearance in England colours.
Certainly it would be a great move for all three parties involved, City will offload another player, West Ham will strengthen their chase for promotion and Bridge will do what he claims he always just wanted to do, play football.
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