Legends on legends - Manchester City

A pocket rocket down the flank, Shaun Wright-Phillips played almost 300 times for Manchester City in two spells, playing his part in where we see City today.

Initially at Forest, the winger, now 39, joined City’s youth ranks at 17. He played a handful of games as City were promoted into the Premier League in 1999/2000, another 15 as they were relegated back to the what is now the Championship, but then took off.

‘Shauny Wright, Wright, Wright’ played 35 league games as City were promoted straight back to the Premier League, and then 30-plus for the next three seasons as the club re-established themselves in the top flight. His form prompted a senior England call in 2004, and then a move to Chelsea, where he won the title under Jose Mourinho in 2004/05 and was named in the Premier League’s Team of the Season.

He returned to City in 2008/09, as the sky blue half of Manchester started to make waves. Fifth in 2009/10 and third in 2010/11, SWP’s chances were becoming limited and he switched to QPR in 2011/12. By twist of fate, he was therefore on the pitch as City clinched a dramatic first Premier League title with that late, late win against QPR at the Etihad in May, 2012.

SWP stayed at QPR until 2015 before ending his career in the States with three seasons at New York Red Bulls alongside his brother, Bradley, and his last at Phoenix Rising in 2017. He earned 36 caps for England and was in the squad for the 2010 World Cup.

Ledley on SWP

Shaun’s career mirrored Ledley’s in many ways, the pair breaking through in 1999 - Ledley made his debut for Spurs in May, 1999 - and they were together in many England squads as Ledley earned 21 caps between 2002-2010.

“Yes, I know Shaun well,” said Ledley, now part of Jose Mourinho’s staff as first team assistant. “I got to meet him playing for England. We played in the senior squad together over a similar period of time, so I got to know him on a personal level as well, and he’s a great guy.

“As a player, I’m sure Spurs fans can picture him in as Aaron Lennon-type, small in stature, but so quick, a nightmare in one-on-one situations with that ability to twist and turn away from defenders, that sheer pace with the ball at his feet. As a centre-half, he was the worst type of opponent for me! He really was a nightmare to play against. Not too many players can say they’ve been part of a Premier League winning team, and he was (during his time at Chelsea).

“Everywhere he played, he was a firm fans’ favourite, a player who always gave 100 per cent. He’s still someone who is loved and adored at all the teams he played for, and that says everything really.”