Shaun Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Wright-Phillips with Chelsea in 2008
Personal information
Full nameShaun Cameron Wright-Phillips[1]
Date of birth25 October 1981[1]
Place of birthGreenwich, London, England
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Queens Park Rangers
Number11
Youth career
1993–1998Nottingham Forest
1998–1999Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2005Manchester City153(26)
2005–2008Chelsea81(4)
2008–2011Manchester City65(10)
2011–Queens Park Rangers66(1)
National team
2001–2002England U216(1)
2004–2010England36(6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:18, 10 February 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Shaun Cameron Wright-Phillips (born 25 October 1981) is an English footballer who plays as a winger for Queens Park Rangers.

He began his senior career with Manchester City in 1999, becoming part of the international set-up and earning a £21 million transfer to Premier League champions Chelsea in 2005, winning several domestic honours. In 2008 he returned to Manchester City, and then joined QPR in 2011.

He made his full England debut in 2004 and went on to earn 36 caps, and score 6 goals. He was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Family and early life

He is the adopted son of former England international Ian Wright and the brother of fellow professional football player Bradley Wright-Phillips. He grew up in Brockley, South London, and attended the state school Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College in New Cross Gate.

Club career

Manchester City

Born in Greenwich, London,[1] Wright-Phillips was released by Nottingham Forest at the age of 17 and Manchester City took him to Maine Road. He made his debut as a substitute in the second leg of a League Cup match against Burnley, replacing Terry Cooke.[3] His League debut came two months later at Port Vale. Brought on as substitute striker, he helped his team turn a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 win. His shot resulted in the first Manchester City goal, which Wright-Phillips attempted to claim, though the strike was later credited as an own goal instead.[4] He then started the next two matches, in place of Paul Dickov, who was absent through injury. Once Dickov recovered, Wright-Phillips returned to the reserves, making only one further first team appearance that season. City finished second in the First Division, resulting in promotion to the Premier League for the 2000–01 season. Wright-Phillips featured more regularly than the previous season but was still not fully established in the first team, making 12 starts and seven substitute appearances playing in a variety of attacking positions. Manchester City's stay in the Premier League was brief; at the end of the season they were relegated. The drop brought about a change of manager, Kevin Keegan replacing Joe Royle.

Under Keegan, Wright-Phillips firmly established himself in the first team, not as a forward, but as a wing-back.[5] Keegan was known for playing attacking football, and decided to use the attacking Wright-Phillips in a traditionally defensive position due to his mobility and dribbling ability.[5]

From 2000–2003 he won Manchester City's Young Player of the Year award four times in succession,[6] surpassing Steve Kinsey's record of three times.[7]

On 17 November 2004, he became one of the main targets of racist chants from sections of the Spanish crowd at an international friendly between England and Spain in Madrid. However, he brushed that aside with his performance in his next Manchester City game at Portsmouth, saying to reporters after the game, "I just let the football do the talking."[8]

He also has a similar response regarding his father, saying in an interview with manchesteronline.co.uk: "The press brought up my adopted father's name. They relate to his name and that is fine by me – it comes with the name, but I will be my own man. I have made my own path and started to take my own steps."[9]

Chelsea

Wright-Phillips playing for Chelsea against Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008.

On 18 July 2005, Wright-Phillips completed a £21 million move to Premier League champions Chelsea, returning to his native London. He joined the club on a five-year contract after agreeing to personal terms and passing a medical. He had previously said he would not leave Manchester City.[10] His appearances were initially limited, starting only fifteen times for Chelsea in the 2005–06 season and struggling to find scoring form. An inconsistent first season with Chelsea culminated in him missing out on the opportunity to travel to Germany with the England squad for the 2006 World Cup.

Despite making few first-team appearances, Wright-Philips maintained that he was happy at Chelsea and wanted to stay and fight for a first team place. He received a boost from his then manager José Mourinho, when the latter declined to make an approach for Spain and Real Betis winger Joaquín, stating that he had enough options in terms of wingers. His first goal for the club came in a 2–0 Champions League win over Levski Sofia on 5 December 2006, in his 52nd match and almost 17 months after his transfer.[11]

As the 2006–07 season progressed, Wright-Phillips picked up form and scored his first league goal against West Ham United on 18 April, following it up with his second in the same match.[12] Subsequently, he started in several games towards the end of the season including the FA Cup final which Chelsea won, however Wright-Phillips was substituted for Salomon Kalou in extra time.[13]

In the beginning of the 2007–08 season, Wright-Phillips maintained his starting place on the right wing. He also maintained his place after Jose Mourinho left Chelsea and under new coach Avram Grant. He was selected to play in the League Cup final, which Chelsea lost to Tottenham Hotspur. He only made another six appearances that season and failed to make the match day squad for the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final. Having made 65 starting appearances for the club, with a further 60 as a substitute, Wright-Phillips had been unable to secure a regular place in the side under Grant and Mourinho. After also falling out of favour with new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, he was allowed to leave the club.

Return to Manchester City

Wright-Phillips lining up for Manchester City during his second spell at the club.

On 28 August 2008, he re-joined his former club Manchester City on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £8.5million.[14][15] He was allocated the number 8 shirt for the 2008–09 season. On his second debut, Wright-Phillips scored two goals against Sunderland in the 3–0 away win in the Premier League.[16] His third goal for City came in a 6–0 victory over Portsmouth on 21 September. Wright-Phillips equalled his entire goalscoring record at Chelsea just over a month after returning to City. His right footed drive in the second half against Omonia Nicosia on 2 October helped steer City through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup for the first time. On 29 October, Wright-Phillips swore at former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate during Manchester City's 2–0 defeat to his club, after Southgate complained about Wright-Phillips appearing to go down too easily after a challenge. The FA warned Wright-Phillips about his future conduct.

The 2009–10 season started very well for Wright-Phillips, setting up a goal for Emanuel Adebayor in the 3rd minute, in a 2–0 win against Blackburn. Three weeks later against Arsenal, he set up a goal for Emanuel Adebayor before scoring one for himself.He followed that up with a goal in a League Cup tie with Crystal Palace. He went on to score in 3 successive home games against Burnley, Hull City and then Arsenal in the League Cup.[17] He has found himself in and out of the team under Roberto Mancini, with new signing Adam Johnson's form forcing Wright-Phillips to be a substitute in most matches, including City's game at his former club Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He came off the bench to replace Johnson in the 60th minute and then set up Craig Bellamy's second goal in the 4–2 win. Despite his impact in the game, Wright-Phillips had not secured a place in the team. He started for City on the final game of the 2009–10 Premier League season against West Ham United at Upton Park, where he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw.

The 2010–11 season saw Wright-Phillips only make seven league appearances, with the increased competition for places following the signings of David Silva and Yaya Toure resulting in him rarely being included in the clubs's matchday squad.

Queens Park Rangers

On 31 August 2011, the final day of the transfer window, Wright-Phillips signed for Queens Park Rangers on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[18] He made his full debut for QPR against Newcastle United on 12 September 2011, making the starting line-up and winning Man of the Match by supporters.[19] He failed to score a goal for almost a year before scoring his first the following season for QPR against Walsall in the League Cup on 28 August 2012.[20] His only goal for QPR in the Premier League during the derby against former club Chelsea on 2 January 2013, which ended 1–0.[21] QPR were relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

Club statistics

Information correct as of 11 February 2015.[22][23]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City1999–00First Division4000100050
2000–01Premier League150004000190
2001–02First Division358302000408
2002–03Premier League311102000341
2003–043474122614611
2004–0534101021003711
Total15326911336118131
Chelsea2005–06Premier League270401070390
2006–07272733071446
2007–08272315160414
Total8141449120112410
Manchester City2008–09Premier League275100093378
2009–10304216200387
2010–1170300091191
Total64961621849416
Overall total2173515219524527547
Queens Park Rangers2011–12Premier League320200000340
2012–13201101100222
2013–14Championship110002000130
2014–15Premier League1000100020
Total641304100712
Career total3624033631744647059

International career

Wright-Phillips made his England debut as a substitute for Nicky Butt against Ukraine on 18 August 2004. He scored the last of England's goals in a 3–0 win, described by BBC Sport as "crowning a solo run with a stunning finish".[24]

He was a regular member of England's squad during qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and made his first competitive start in a 1–0 away win over Wales. However, after a decline in form, especially a poor performance away to Northern Ireland, and a lack of games following his move to Chelsea, he missed out on a place in the squad for the World Cup finals.

After a good start to the 2007–08 campaign, Wright-Phillips received an England recall to play against Germany in a friendly match at the new Wembley Stadium. Wright-Phillips was brought on as a substitute in the second half during the match in which England lost 1–2 to Germany and he was named the England sponsor's Man of the Match after an impressive performance.

On 8 September 2007, Wright-Phillips was selected to start against Israel in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier he scored the first goal in the 3–0 victory and won the England sponsor's Man of the Match award with his performance. He was then selected to start for England against Estonia and scored his third goal for England and the opener in a third consecutive 3–0 win at Wembley. He was selected in England's critical Euro 2008 qualifying game against Croatia, substituted at half time in favour of David Beckham with England trailing 2–0, with England eventually losing 3–2 and therefore missing out on Euro 2008.

On 19 November 2008, Wright-Phillips was selected to start in England's friendly against Germany in Berlin.

On 14 October 2009, with England having already qualified for World Cup 2010, Wright-Phillips was selected in the starting XI against Belarus at Wembley. Unusually, he was joined in the side (which was missing Wayne Rooney through injury) by Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, meaning England played with two recognised wingers. Mid-way through the second half, Wright-Phillips drove in a shot from the edge of the penalty area which beat the dive of the Belarus goalkeeper. He appeared as a second-half substitute against Egypt on 3 March 2010, scoring England's second goal and assisting Peter Crouch for the third as they came from behind to win 3–1.[25]

On 1 June 2010, Wright-Phillips was selected for England's final 23-man squad that was to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This came as a shock to many journalists who had thought that the dropped Theo Walcott would be in the squad instead. He appeared as a substitute in England's opening two group matches against United States and Algeria.

International statistics

[26]

England national team
YearAppsGoals
200431
200540
200640
200772
200841
200971
201071
Total366
Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 18 August 2004 St James' Park, Newcastle  Ukraine 3–0 3–0 Friendly
2 8 September 2007 Wembley Stadium, London  Israel 1–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
3 13 October 2007 Wembley Stadium, London  Estonia 1–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
4 6 February 2008 Wembley Stadium, London   Switzerland 2–1 2–1 Friendly
5 14 October 2009 Wembley Stadium, London  Belarus 2–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.
6 3 March 2010 Wembley Stadium, London  Egypt 2–1 3–1 Friendly

Honours

Manchester City

Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 679. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Player Profile – Shaun Wright-Phillips". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Buckley, Andy; Burgess, Richard (2000). Blue Moon Rising: The Fall and Rise of Manchester City. Bury: Milo. p. 194. ISBN 0-9530847-4-4.
  4. ↑ Blue Moon Rising, p201
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Smith, Alan (17 February 2002). "Wright-Phillips finds niche to prosper at City". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  6. ↑ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. p. 232. ISBN 1-85983-512-0.
  7. ↑ Clayton, David (2002). Everything under the blue moon: the complete book of Manchester City FC – and more!. Edinburgh: Mainstream publishing. p. 216. ISBN 1-84018-687-9.
  8. ↑ Gönderen (25 October 1981). "Footballers Biography: Shaun Wright-Phillips". Footballers-biograpy.blogspot.com. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  9. ↑ "Manchester Evening News". Manchester Evening News. 3 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Wright-Phillips signs for Chelsea". BBC News. 18 July 2005.
  11. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/06/match.sport
  12. ↑ McNulty, Phil (18 April 2007). "West Ham 1–4 Chelsea". BBC News.
  13. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (19 May 2007). "Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United". BBC News.
  14. ↑ Jacob, Gary (28 August 2008). "Shaun Wright-Phillips re-signs for Manchester City". London: The Times. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  15. ↑ "Man City re-sign Wright-Phillips". BBC Sport. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  16. ↑ Hackett, Robin (31 August 2008). "Wright-Phillips the hero for victorious City". Setanta Sports. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  17. ↑ FA investigate Gareth Southgate rumpus with Shaun Wright-Phillips. Daily Telegraph
  18. ↑ "QPR sign Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  19. ↑ http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/318177?cc=5901
  20. ↑ "QPR 3 – 0 Walsall". BBC. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "Chelsea 0–1 QPR". BBC Sport. 2 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "Shaun Wright-Phillips statistics". Soccerbase. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  23. ↑ "Shaun Wright-Phillips Bio, Stats, News". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "England 3–0 Ukraine". BBC News. 18 August 2004.
  25. ↑ "England 3–1 Egypt". BBC Sport. 3 March 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  26. ↑ Shaun Wright-Phillips at National-Football-Teams.com

External links

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