Wright-Phillips back where he belongs

Filed in archive Premier League 2008-09 on August 28, 2008

Manchester City have completed the expected re-signing of their former winger Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea.

Twenty-six year old Wright-Phillips' career has stalled since his £21 million move from City to Chelsea back in 2005. He had just established himself as an England international and was looking like one of the brightest prospects England had seen for some time.

At Chelsea he has struggled to gain a first team place and has made only forty-three starts in his three years with the club.

He has now signed a four-year contract at the City of Manchester Stadium having signed for an undisclosed fee, presumably much reduced.

Wright-Phillips told the club's website: "Obviously I'm delighted to come back to City and I can't wait to get started again."

Manager Mark Hughes said: "I've always admired Shaun and he's been a target of mine since I came to the club. To actually secure the deal and bring Shaun back home is a fantastic coup for us. I'm sure the supporters will be just as excited as we are to have him back at Manchester City."

In his previous spell at City, Wright-Phillips made one hundred and eighty one appearances scoring thirty-one goals and became a real local hero. He undoubtedly has the ability to reproduce the form he once showed and he is still young enough to stake a serious claim for an England place.

All football fans will hope he can, as the sight of Wright-Phillips in full flow has been one of the best sights in English football over the past few years.