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Name:	Shaun Wright-Phillips
Nationality:	English
Date of Birth:	25/10/1981
Height:	5' 5" (166cm)
Weight:	10st 1lbs (64.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Manchester City
Position:	Midfielder

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José Mourinho had predicted a much happier second season at Chelsea for the £21 million pound purchase from Man City - and so it proved.

 

With flying wide players key to Chelsea's Championship success in 2004/5, Shaun had originally been bought 2005 as reinforcements in the winger department - but it was as a right-sided player in a midfield diamond that he rediscovered the form that had first marked him down as one of the most exciting young talents in English football.

 

Back on song, in the second half of the 2006/7 season he weighed in with some important assists and goals, among them two high quality strikes at Upton Park.

 

Originally a trainee at Nottingham Forest, doubts about his lack of inches (he now measures 5' 6") led to him switching to Manchester City where he made his professional football debut aged 18.

 

One of his early games in December 2000 was an eye-catching display at Stamford Bridge, his manager Joe Royle revealing afterwards that the bright-eyed Shaun had hung around in the tunnel following the final whistle, desperate to acquire the shirt of Gianfranco Zola.

 

The youngster showed versatility at Man City; attacking on either flank, playing as a striker and even as wing-back.

 

In the 2003/4 season he blossomed with 11 goals and many exciting displays and began to be noticed as much more than just former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright's adopted son.

 

Another fine campaign in 2004/5, his last in Manchester, began in style with an England debut against Ukraine in August when Shaun scored a fine solo goal and was instantly pencilled in as David Beckham's natural successor on England's right.

 

In total he found the net 12 times that season and was nominated for the PFA Young Player award.

 

Arriving at Chelsea a twisting, turning bag of tricks with a thunderous shot, Shaun was soon declared by his new team-mates to be the fastest sprinter at the club.

 

The 23 year-old Londoner impressed on the 2005 pre-season US tour and as a sub in the Community Shield game.

 

He made his Chelsea Premiership debut off the bench against Wigan in August but the 2005/6 season saw him behind Robben, Duff and Joe Cole for a regular place in the side.

 

There was disappointment at the end of it when Shaun was omitted from England's World Cup squad.

 

However by the end of last campaign, he had won a place back in the national team reckoning and was in the starting eleven for Chelsea's FA Cup Final win.