You have to hand it to Harry Redknapp. Since becoming manager of Portsmouth for the second time, he’s managed to convince David James, Glen Johnson, Sol Campbell, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch to join the club. Now he’s set to land another class act in the guise of Wayne Bridge who, like so many of the above players, finds himself out of the frame at his current Premier League club.
The Daily Telegraph report that Pompey have wasted no time in trying to snare the England international, with Phil Scolari’s appointment at Stamford Bridge essentially signaling the end of Bridge’s time there. The same article also considers that Shaun Wright-Phillips might fancy a bit of south coast action as well.
Bridge is set to join Portsmouth’s English revolution for the same £7 million fee he signed for Chelsea in 2003, accompanying international team-mates David James, Jermain Defoe, Sol Campbell, Peter Crouch and former Chelsea colleague Glen Johnson at Fratton Park.
Chelsea are scheduled to travel to China for a five-game pre-season tour commencing on July 23 but Bridge will not fly out with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad, fuelling speculation is on the verge of signing a deal with the FA Cup holders.
It’s clear that Harry is after a left-back and Bridge will mean they have a very strong back five in James, Campbell, Distin, Bridge and Johnson. That is almost as good as any other defence in the Premier League isn’t it? After the ‘Big Four’, surely Portsmouth are looking more and more like the best team in the division or would Spurs, Everton and Villa fans disagree?