Wayne Bridge has announced that he will not put himself forward for selection for the England squad in the wake of John Terry's alleged affair with the mother of Bridges children.
The statement issued through his lawyers said: 'I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks, After careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive. Sadly therefore, I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.'
This is the latest in a long line of incidents that threaten to derail Fabio Capello's preparations for the finals in South Africa this summer. Bridge clearly feels he is unable to share a dressing room with John Terry and as a result, has decided to opt out of national team selection four months before the World Cup. Capello, who earlier this week spoke of his optimism that Bridge would continue to play for his country, intended to name Bridge in the squad to face Egypt next week and with Ashley Cole facing months out of the game with a fractured ankle, the England manager is now short of experienced options at left-back.
Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock, whose international experience currently consists of six minutes as a substitute against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008, and Everton's uncapped Leighton Baines could deputise for Cole in Bridge's absence, but the City defender's decision today means Capello may be forced to field his third-choice full-back when England kick-off their World Cup campaign against the United States on 12 June.
Well it's his own decision... But i think it's the wrong one completely... I think Paul Merson said it on SSN... Whilst you cna never truly forgive someone for this sort of thing "Time is a great healer" Effectively he has damaged his chances of ever playing for the England team and represting his country at a major sporting event like the World cup or The Euro's...
Here's to baines, Warnock, Shorey or Gibbs to take the chance they have been rightfully given...
Imo Silly and rash decision from Bridge
Throw enough sh-it at the wall and some of it will stick,
but make no mistake, Your wall's still covered in sh-it
Don't think it is rash to be fair. I couldn't work mit the ass that is Terry. Both he ( Terry ) and Cole have proved Money and the trappings are more important than what they get payed for.
The Lords My Shepherd.
The future is bright. The future is Stripes.
They are both 29 currently and have probably 2 international competitions in them tops... That's about three or four months they are going to be together... I realise that it would be difficult but for the sake of his international career imo he should have still left himself available...
I think the same of caragher when he retired although of completely diferent circumstances but still imo silly decision...
Throw enough sh-it at the wall and some of it will stick,
but make no mistake, Your wall's still covered in sh-it
Yeah i agree in what you are saying, Fabio has said the door is still open though.
Caragher had probs 1 season max in him at the time, He is so slow this last few years, ie shirt pulling and fouling to compensate. He was an ideal squad player for tourno's, And great for the benchm as he covered most of the back line, Giving you more options to pick a better bench. I think Mica Richards could turn out to be the same,? Save having 2 defenders on the bench as he can also cover the whole back 4.
The Lords My Shepherd.
The future is bright. The future is Stripes.
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