Portsmouth are today reported in the Daily Mirror to be after Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge.
 Wayne Bridge - capped 30 times for England
We mention this because Newcastle have long been linked with the former Southampton player, who Sir Bobby Robson almost signed from Southampton many years ago, but had an £8M bid for the defender rejected by Southampton.
Bridge emerged yesterday as another potential target for Harry Redknapp, to add to his successful capture of Peter Crouch from Liverpool recently.
Harry is also a fan of Reading’s Nicky Shorey, who is also available, although the Portsmouth interest in Nicky appears to have waned somewhat. The fee quoted for Bridge is around £5M.
Keegan has said he wants players with Premier league experience, and we think Wayne Bridge would be a great buy for the club, and the once capped Nicky Shorey, who would be cheaper, would also be a decent capture.
We have yet to bring in any defenders during the summer, and certainly Bridge would be an excellent acquisition.
The 30 times capped England International started just nine games for Chelsea last season, and we’ve always thought it ridiculous to have England’s best two left backs in Ashley Cole and Wayne at the same club side.
Portsmouth have Icelandic international Hermann Hreidarrson, as their left back right now, and he was impressive in his first season at Fratton Park, but he is now 34 years old, whereas Bridge is just 27.
If Bridge truly is available, wouldn’t he be just what Newcastle need in their defense?
Comments welcome.
77 responses so far ↓
1 natedawg // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:45
i like him but dont think either the bull or himself would b happy on the bench or being rotated
2 broon ale // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:47
i despise harry redknapp!
i was delighted he didnt come to newcastle.
i hate how he openly talks about his transfer targets.
3 Martin // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:47
nate you have a point! I’ve been wanting us to go for Bridge for years - I thought we had him in the bag until A. - silent C - ole got injured and he got a good long run in the squad under mourinho.
4 ToonKing // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:51
well, we should be interested…
5 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:54
Agree with Natedawg, It’s either Bridge or Enrique. There’s no point having 2 first teamers fighting for LB, unless KK doesn’t rate Enrique?!
6 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:57
I agree Kash2,but if not bridge or Shorey,who would you say is the best choice?? Personally it has to be one of those two..
7 Leo // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:57
i wouldnt go for him, for many reasons which i am sure all know, he however is a good footballer and taking away his flaws such as injury prone would be a great left back for us.
i would keep and open mind
8 sirjasontoon // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:58
Rate him but we seem to end up with chelsea rejects that end up poor buys.
Can’t knock harry redknapp no nonsense type of guy and is doing very well at pompey and picking up decent players too.
9 James // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:58
Screw him! He’s turned us down twice before and Enrique is far better.
Enrique is a Geordie!!
10 Michael // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:59
Bridge is better than Shorey. If we sign one of them lets hope its him.
11 broon ale // Jul 15, 2008 at 10:59
i disagree kash and nate. if we have ambitions to be a club capable of challenging for a posistion in the top half we cant afford to be sentimental about players sitting on the bench.
it is widely accepted you need two players good enough to start in every posistion. it would be up to enrique and bridge (or whoever) to earn the shirt. the challenge is the same for both of them
12 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:00
@Westoon: I think BSA had the right idea when he tried to sign Drago for Seville. Get a player who is versatile enough to play a number of positions. For example a player who can play LB, CB, DM etc. Even a LB/LM player like Zhirkov!
13 natedawg // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:02
dont think we will sign a first team left back , might sign a first team alround defender for cover , like a phil neville , but the kid will be expected to step up in case of injurys
14 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:02
@Broon: I agree we need competition, but we also need versatility. I’m sure there’s plenty of players accomplished at LB who can operate naturally at other positions too.
15 Danny // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:03
We would get Bridge i think, he would choose us over Portsmouth aswell.
But i dont think we will be in for him, Ashley would say no, cause of his history with injuries… Simple as that, so he’s a no go Ed.
16 natedawg // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:04
i no wa you mean broon ale , but bridge has been sitting on his arse on a bench for the last 3 or 4 years so doubt he would be happy being rotated or whatever after a transfer , he would want lots of first team football
17 Cyprus-Toon // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:06
If I remember rightly, the only injury he’s had is the one Wor Shearer gave him when he broke his leg!!!
I’d take both of them or either of them, we need a second LB & RB, so if we can get them for 5mil, I’d be happy, as they both are pretty good players
18 Davies // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:06
I do think he would be a good buy, but Enrique’s development into a world class left back will be seriously impaired by having Bridge on the books.
If KK favours Bridge, and he might, I think we’d end up losing the Bull. I think in the long run we’re better off keeping Enrique as first choice for left back and looking to Tozer and Kadar for cover.
He’s got the potential to be world class.
19 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:06
Bridge will be expecting £65k a week as well. No way will MA pay that!
20 Gunnar/Iceland // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:07
would without a doubt improve our squad. Won’t be joining us though since those in charge dont seem to be interested.
21 natedawg // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:07
agree a hundred percent daives
22 Ericles // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:09
Spot on James. Well said!
23 MAG PIE // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:10
natedawg and Kash2 hit the nail on the head. If we sign Bridge it will be to replace Enrique. Bridge won’t come to warm the bench here when he could presumably stay at Chelsea and do that. I don’t want Enrique to leave - he looks a great prospect. I say we pass on Bridge and Shorey (for same reason) and try for a versatile defender who can provide cover along the line and, therefore, will play a decent number of games.
24 Toon_Ksk // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:12
Versatility, reminds me of Aaron Hughes. One reliable and useful player.
25 Chris // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:13
I would rather we got a decent back up for Enrique aswell. He’s stronger and faster than Bridge and IMO the only thing that let Enrique down last season was his distribution.
If he can work on his passing I think he’s going to be and excellent player for us!
26 NE1 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:14
If he’s available we should definitely be making a bid.
I disagree that having Bridge will be detrimental to Enrique. If he’s good enough he’ll keep Bridge out of the team - if not - he won’t - simple as!
27 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:16
MA will not want a £65k a week bench warmer!
28 Total Flanker // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:19
Bridge is overrated, his wages are too expensive and Redknapp is welcome to add him to the long list of under-achievers he seems to be gathering around him at Portsmouth.
29 Derdi4Toon // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:21
really no point of having a 28 yr old specialized LB to displace Enrique who seems a good prospect. Bridge is a decent player but why does he get stuck with Chelski while he knows he can’t play week-in week-out during his peak years? is he purely a money grabber or just loving London too much? if Kadar good enough he should be made the first backup for Enrique, probably a bit too soon than first expected but he’s already a big man and full international …
30 Davies // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:23
I wonder if it’s down to training. People talk about players’ natural positions, but surely you can learn to play elsewhere.
Say, for instance, we got David Edgar training in all positions across the back four. Would this mean that, when he gets used to moving around, we will have a versatile defender? Or do you think we’ll just have another talented CB who will play wherever he’s told to in the back line?
What do you think?
31 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:25
@ Davies: I’d imagine like everything else in life, if you practise something for long enough, you’ll naturally become better at it!!!
32 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:27
@ Kash2,very well put mate!!! Totally agree with the 65k,bench warmer aspect aswell as Drago & Zhirkov…nice 1
33 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:29
@Westoon: I’m not just a pretty face mate! LOL
Where’s Fernandoodoo? He still hasn’t answered my question!
Fernando claimed we’ve been linked to Crystal Palace youngster Moses.
34 JOeT // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:30
Haha. Enrique quicker than bridge! Doubt It! Bridge is a modern day attacking left back with miles better defensive skills than cashley cole, let alone enrique. He’s been poorly treat by Chelsea and england for years and his professional attitude has been displayed upon countless occasions! He would be perfect for us in the left back position and would offer a better alternative to enrique, however enrique is definitely one for the future and he may not be too happy being on the bench! But as it has been previously stated…..its not the time for niceties, and after all we are looking for a step up from all departments so on that basis……..! This is one for King Kev im afraid!
35 THELONGSHANKS // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:32
If we get shorey or bridge,then enrique wont stay as 2nd choice for the toon.I say bring tozer up as support for enrique,i think he can step up to the challenge.For beye we have edgar who i hope gets a few starts next season.CB we need a top class defender to help taylor.Then huntelaar,aguero and we should be ok for next season.
36 John - Newcastle // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:34
What part of ‘We’re only going to sign young highly talented players from now on” don’t some of you understand? Wayne Bridge doesn’t fit in with this, highly sensible, transfer policy at all.
Granted, Bridge is a good defender but he’s also a player who’ll demand a very high wage. And despite him being a good player his best days are also behind him.
Keep up the search for young talent is what I say, don’t revert to buying players on their way down and looking for another big pay day.
37 Gooderz // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:36
What about Juan Pablo Sorin? Hamburg have paid up the final year of his contract so he’s free. He’s got tonnes of experience, he can play in midfield, will be good company for Spidey and at 32 he won’t be around for long so he won’t hinder Enrique’s development.
The only major concern would be his injury record of late.
38 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:37
I think Shorey would be a better signing because his standards aren’t as high as Bridges. His wages wouldn’t be massive and he’d definitely fight for his place. But then again, Enrique is a better LB than Shorey, as long as Enrique sorts his crossing out!
39 Nick // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:39
ed you’re not getting with the ashley program.
young players on low wages
40 chuck // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:43
Have to say he (Bridge) onthe left and Beye on the right would give us one of the best sets of wing backs in the PL.
Bridge is better than Enrique by far (dont get me wrong i like Enrique) but with Edgar challenging for a spot, we could generate some cash by selling Enrique and still have cover.
If he is available for around £5m grab him.
41 Sav // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:45
to be honest. if I were Wayne Bridge and I got offers to join either Portsmouth or Newcastle, I’d be looking at whether we were at least going to get Michael Owen signed up to an extension and then maybe a decent (Veloso/Aimar/or at least Inler) signing of intent to improve on last season’s 12th position.
So far, although Gutierrez and Guthrie are canny signings and good business, we need to show stability and some ambition. With all the talk of maybe Ashley selling up and maybe Owen will go to ManU or Martins to Arsenal, it doesn’t look very positive. Unless Bridge knew sommat we don’t he’ll probably follow Crouch to the S.Coast.
42 jeffa // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:47
Magpies make late move for Aimar
by Tom Adams, 15 July 2008
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Pablo Aimar’s agent has hinted that Newcastle are now very serious contenders to sign the Argentinian star, with a proposed move to Portuguese giants Benfica seemingly stalling.
It had been expected that Aimar would move to Estadio da Luz following Real Zaragoza’s relegation and Benfica sporting director Manuel Rui Costa has made the recruitment of his potential successor as the Lisbon club’s playmaker-in-chief a top priority for the summer.
Interest from England and Greece has complicated matters though and Zaragoza are now holding out for more than the €7.5 million (£5.97 million) on offer from Benfica.
The Spanish club’s president, Eduardo Bandres confirmed: “There are offers from Portugal, England and Greece, and some more may arise because the market is unpredictable.
“We will not sell Aimar in conditions that are not favourable.â€
Both Everton and Newcastle have been linked with the former Valencia and River Plate star but his agent has seemingly ruled out a move to Merseyside.
Now the Portuguese press are claiming that it is Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle who have firmed up their interest in the 28-year-old.
“We have begun to speak to an English club – not Everton – and already we have offers for the club and player,†Gustavo Mascardi told O Jogo.
Aimar was hailed as one of South America’s brightest prospects when swapping River Plate for Valencia in January 2001, and under Rafa Benitez’s guidance at the Mestalla, Aimar won the Spanish league title twice and the 2004 Uefa Cup.
from setanta
43 Taiwantoon // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:47
I am with Sav on this one. Don’t think he will come to us.
We should look for someone less high profile.
44 michael // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:51
Ed, in what way do you suppose that Newcastle are at all interested in Wayne Bridge?
There is no suggestion that the player has even been considered by the current administraation. The wages an ex-Chelsea player will command will be huge, and the fact that he has sat in the reserves for nearly 3 years shows he has no ambition whatsoever.
Please Ed hadve a bit of substantiation to your articles. This is like the whole Aimar, Gudjohnsen crap. No suggestion we are even in for these players other than the fact you quite like them Ed.
45 Matt Lacey // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:52
I would rather see someone brought in as cover for Enrique, rather than competition. The more games Enrique plays the better he’ll get and he deserves to be our first choice left back - I don’t think Bridge is the right sort of player to bring in at the moment. He’ll want first team football and that can only slow down Enrique’s development, I think!
Pompey on the other hand will probably see him as a long-term replacement for Hreidarsson and Bridge would probably see it as a good chance to get regular first team football.
Maybe Keegan would consider Kadar as cover for Enrique at the moment?
46 Davies // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:52
I’m happy with the ‘rique. I’ve formed my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
47 W.W.K.D. // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:53
I hate all this talk about how Mike Ashley will only sign cheap young players and I don’t know where it all comes from.
The easiest way to get the best players is to get them early and develop them, but in the mean time the baulk of the first team needs to be of the right quality to perform and the only indication of cost cutting I have seen is that they must be the right players at the right price. We are not going to be spending £17m on an Owen again (or £18m on Barry) but a good experienced player who can offer something useful to the team who is available for no more than what he is considered to be worth will be bought in.
Otherwise we’ll end up like Arsenal who seem to let players go before they turn 30, except our limit will be 23 or something stupid like that.
48 James // Jul 15, 2008 at 11:55
Matt Lacey - Kadar could be cover for the entire first team….he’s that good.
49 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:05
Apparently we’re after Insua of Liverpool. But i’m sure the kid signed a contract lately!
50 Ericles // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:07
No way. Not interested in Stamford Bridge or Wayne Bridge. Let him go to Portsmouth as he can sail almost anywhere from there. He can swap on the bench for on the beach. Do not think KK is interested. I would give Kadar and Tozer their due. They actually chose to come to NUFC.
51 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:08
The Insua story is written by Anal Oliver. Obviously hasn’t done his homework, the plonker!
52 Geordie Nick // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:15
why does everyone think tht we have to bring in a left back as backup to enrique?? we shud be bringing in competition, not someone who is willing to be backup, bringing in wayne bridge wud more than likely bring out the best of enrqique, where as bringing in someone purely to sit on the bench is hardly gonna push enrique to improve his game as he will know he is 1st choice and could gte complacent
53 Fandango // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:15
i reckon he would join pompey over newcastle
54 9 Shearer // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:25
The Bull is good better than Shorey and Bridge. His only problem last season was English and that can b sorted out.
55 Davies // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:27
Whatever the source, Insua fits exactly with what Keegan said he was looking for as well as what the club are looking for. A new contract doesn’t mean he isn’t available, it just means that Liverpool can up their price.
I haven’t really paid much attention to him. Is he any good?
Will he provide the much needed competition?
56 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:27
I to dont really like harry redknapp, but you must agree he has really turned portsmouth around!! IMO we have a club with an amazing fanbase! a fantastic stadium! a great manager! but where are we?? MA needs to spend money on quality experienced proven players through the centre, to maintain a structured back bone to the squad!! but will he? if he doesn’t then what? last season our squad wasn’t good enough and was small, yes we have released players such as ramage and carr which we didnt need or want!! which in turn made the the squad smaller !! again, we must still thin out players such as Ameobi, Smith, duff etc!! players who arn’t effective for the club and drain on our resorces!! I am over the moon that the youth policy is now underway, and we are recruting quality young players for the future!! but If we want to compete with the premiership teams such as portsmouth, Villa, Everton etc we need simply to buy quality proven players!!! but not waste money!!
I believe Ashley wont spend the money that most were hoping for! which inturn will put alot of pressure on kk!! where will that leave the club and kevin??
I pay good money to be entertained!! to watch good fotball!! do our fans deserve this!!!
I would rip chelseas arm of for bridge at £5million!!! and others!!
brownale (11) totally agree if we are to go forward we need quality!! and lots of it!! even if they have to sit on the bench!!
I hope im wrong and its all a bad dream!! and MA spends MILLIONS on our beloved NUFC!!!
57 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:33
@HPS: What happens when Enrique keeps Bridge out the first team, and then Bridge is happy being on the bench earning £65k a week?
Then what? Would you say that was money well spent?
58 Matt Lacey // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:40
Geordie Nick - Keegan is the sort of manager who can motivate players enough that a closely matched competitor to the position isn’t really all that necessary. Personally I think competition from a player like Bridge is just as likely to unsettle him!
I rate Enrique, he’s strong, calm, good in the tackle, passes well and is only 22. We paid £6.3m for him which makes him the most expensive defender in the squad - his development should be something of a priority if Ashley wants his money’s worth. I just don’t think bringing Bridge in is the way to go about it.
Besides, from what I’ve heard about Kadar he’ll probably be all the competition necessary before long!
59 SydneyToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:48
Here is our new left back
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/nufc/Keegan-makes-loan-bid-for.4288442.jp
60 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:53
Agreed,Let him pass,pompei seem to be the new Newcastle in regards to there signings…they are after the exact type of players we USED to be…i am all for the new regime of YOUNG HUNGRY talent,buying the fading stars of yesterday never worked for us,Bring on the new policy!! P.S Enrique IS a geordie and is going to be 1 hell of a Left back for us & spain
61 geordiegraham // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:54
sydneytoon do u reckon he looks a bit like tevez in that pic
62 Kash2 // Jul 15, 2008 at 12:59
I don’t see the point in signing Inusa on loan from Liverpool, who has hardly had EPL experience, when we could help develop one of our own youngsters?!
Unless, we tried to sign him with a view to making it permanent, then that would be different!
63 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:00
Nice work SydneyToon…This Lad can SERIOUSLY play,would be a signing of tremendious quality & talent!!! Awesome
64 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:02
Agreed Kash2,but im pretty sure it will be with an option to buy mate!
65 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:04
Kash2 - would he!!?? I believe bridge would give enrique some well needed compatition!! enrique I thought was one of our best players last year!! and will improve!! Its worth paying wages like 65k aweek if the player is good enough!! the problem is most of the nufc squad arn’t!!!
66 Geordie Nick // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:04
matt lacey- im not sayin we shud defitnitely bring in wayne bridge, im just sayin tht ppl on here are sayin we shud b bringing in someone who is happy to sit on the bench behind enrique so as to not hinder his progression, now i certainly dont want any players brought into our club tht are happy to sit on the bench behind enqique, i want someone brought in who wants to put enrique out the team, i know keegan can motivate him enough himself but surely we’d rather have a left back who wants to be first choice and not one who is happy as second choice, im not saying it shud be bridge necessarily
67 Geordie Nick // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:08
kash2 wat makes u think enrique is good enough to keep brige out of the team, i like enrique and think he showed signs of becomin a good player but bridge is an excellent left back wen played regularly, and if enrique is playin so well tht he i keeping a 65k/week left back out of the team then tht can only be a good thing cant it cos it means enrique really is fulfilling his potential
68 WesToon // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:29
@ Geordie Nick,Mate thats the old mentality,we cannot afford to keep players on 65k on the bench anymore,nor can we keep THE future spanish left back on the bench,Enrique IMO,must be first choice…then Insua would be a perfect back-up,as could Kadar,remember….YOUNG,HUNGRY & TALENTED no more potential money grabbing end of career type players!!!
69 abba // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:36
Wouldnt you say that chelsea, arsenal and spurs are all signing the best young talent available and again we are being left to hoover up the crumbs.
70 constantine // Jul 15, 2008 at 13:40
So we are going to take a liverpool player on loan, make him better and if he is anygood liverpool will take him basck. whats going on? This is the sort of thing 2nd division teams do. we are becoming a laughing stock. It is one thing to sign youngsters from the top teams but taking them on loan and putting them in the first team is a disgrace. If he isnt coming to play, whats the point in taking him.
71 valle // Jul 15, 2008 at 15:11
Enrique is overrated to the border of fantasy thinking on this blog… He is in no way developing into a “world class” left back and you might as well get used to him being backup for whoever we buy now, because Keegan said at the end of the season that he had allot to learn and was flawed and that he was looking for another leftback, that means it will be Enrique who is backup people… And rightly so.
72 clinta // Jul 15, 2008 at 16:04
No not really, yes his a good player but at 27 and £5m were probably better off with some of the young talent talked about on previous threads, and i think that’s how the toon decision makers will see it too.
73 Piers // Jul 15, 2008 at 16:55
We should make a good bid for Bridge but to be honest i would definately rather have Insua. I really like what we are doing with the youth movement. However, if we sign Amiar it goes against everything we are trying to accomplish……Why sign someone on the downside of their career? This is not the MLS, this is English Premier League Football!
74 WIGAZ // Jul 15, 2008 at 16:58
I’m with you NE1! i dont think signing bridge or shorey would stop enriques progression! he’ll rise to the challange & become a better player for it! it would also give us a good tactic when playing against big boys like man u & liverpool, we could play enrique/bridge or enrique/shorey on the left as the 2 english lads can play left side mid also, eg: ronaldo on the right coming up against 2 Lb’s or gerrard on the right with the same, stop players like that & you stop the team! i think we’d stand a good chance at getting either of them! & come on MA not thar expensive! to get an international proven quality player for less than £10m these days is a bargain! what planet are you on Ashley? wake up & smell the coffee!
75 MAG PIE // Jul 15, 2008 at 17:49
Bridge has just extended his Chelsea contract - 4 more years
76 Stardust // Jul 15, 2008 at 18:00
Bridge has just signed a new 4 year deal with Chelsea and Scholari is singing his praises - he isnt moving - Also it looks like Juve arent signing Alonso after getting Poulson.
Odds for Newcastle going in for Alonso anyone lol !
77 michael // Jul 15, 2008 at 18:55
Alonso would be ace, but he’s going to cost a bucket of cash and won’t seriously consider anyone outside of the champion’s league.
The biggest puzzle is why Liverpool want to sell their best passer for Gareth Barry? Do they buy into the hype that much? Seems so, as they think Mascherano is amazing!!! Can’t see it myself.
And I can’t help feeling a little “told you so” Ed after Bridge just signed.
Sharpen up lad. Look for some players we are genuinely interested in and get their videos on the site.
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