Source: Telegraph
John Terry lands Wayne Bridge in the spotlight he so desperately wanted to avoid
The Manchester City defender, who on Thursday announced his international retirement as a direct consequence of John Terry's affair with his former girlfriend, Vanessa Perroncel, has always been content with a life in the shadows. [LNB]But once the revelations of Perroncel's affair with Terry, a close friend from their playing days together at Chelsea, were made public last month, Bridge was unceremoniously, and unwillingly, dragged into the intense glare of celebrity spotlight that he has done so much to shun during his playing career. [LNB] Related ArticlesWayne Bridge turns his back on EnglandTimeline: Capello's unhappy new yearBridge decision a relief for CapelloShowdown at the BridgeChelsea v Manchester City: previewMancini denies heat is on after FA Cup lossBridge is now one of English football's most recognisable faces for something beyond his control. [LNB]At least when he was dogged by the 'Cole understudy' tag, it was due only to his football ability, and being regarded as second best to arguably the world's No 1 left-back is no insult. [LNB]Until Terry's superinjunction aimed at preventing publication of the revelations of his affair was lifted on Jan 29, Bridge was perhaps the most anonymous England international in the Premier League. [LNB]Had he walked down Manchester's King Street, the venue of choice for the city's small band of paparazzi, the 29 year-old would not have prompted one click of a photographer's lens. [LNB]Most £12 million defenders with almost 40 England caps and two Premier League winners' medals in the cabinet would be guaranteed a place among the soccerati. [LNB]But Bridge is described by some at City as the type of guy who you would not notice whether he was in a room or not. [LNB]A reluctant interviewee, Bridge will nevertheless always do whatever is asked of him by club officials. [LNB]The adjectives that repeatedly come back when Bridge is mentioned are pleasant, likeable and polite. He is Mr Average within a dressing room of stars, but while he can be shy in public, he is known to have a dry sense of humour within the changing room and his team-mates regard him as a solid, reliable colleague two qualities Bridge once saw in Terry. [LNB]In a rare insight into his life away from the game, Bridge once revealed to City's club magazine his obsession with Star Wars and how Vanessa the mother of his son, Jaydon had bought him a Star Wars storm-trooper outfit as a gift. [LNB]Shaun Wright-Phillips, his closest friend at Eastlands, shares Bridge's fascination with Harley Davidson motorbikes, but the former Southampton defender remains a closed book to all but those who know him well. [LNB]The fact that he shared an adviser Aaron Lincoln with Terry until last summer underlines the friendship he once had with the former England captain. [LNB]When Terry was contemplating leaving Chelsea for City last summer, Bridge's presence at Eastlands was significant and almost swung the deal in City's favour. [LNB]The excruciating prospect of sharing an England dressing room with Terry prompted Bridge's decision to walk away from international football, but abandoning a club career is a different matter entirely. [LNB]The two will come face to face at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, however, even if Bridge declines the opportunity to shake Terry's hand before the game. [LNB]All eyes will be on Bridge and that is the one thing he enjoys least of all. He could get away with being anonymous when he was Chelsea's second-best left-back, but his new-found notoriety ensures he cannot escape the glare of publicity. [LNB]
