Can Shaun Wright-Phillips Re-Ignite His Career Back at Eastlands?

The re-signing of Shaun Wright-Phillips by Manchester City on a four-year contract from Chelsea has come at just right the time for the diminutive Englishman. Signed by Chelsea for around £21 million back in June 2005, SWP has struggled to cement a regular starting berth in the capital, fading one of England's most exciting pre-World Cup 2006 prospects into obscurity.

When he did get his chance, Wright-Phillips seldom reproduced the electrifying form he displayed regularly in his first spell at City. He did manage to show brief glimpses of his former self, but struggled to perform at a consistently high level.

Faced with competition from World-class wide-men like Robben, Cole, Kalou, and Duff is not an enviable task for anyone looking to establish themselves at one of England's biggest clubs.

Other talented young players like Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell, and more renowned players like Crespo, Boulahrouz, and Shevchenko have all struggled to make an impact under the Mourinho and Grant regimes, so there is no shame in Wright-Phillips' "failure."

Reasons forwarded for Wright-Phillips' failure to re-create the mazy dribbles and spectacular goals during the past three years have included a lack of confidence and the reduced freedom he held in the tactics-heavy approaches of Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.

Now was the time though for Wright-Phillips to cut his losses and sign for a less high-profile club where he would be able to rediscover his devastating ability. (Although, ironically, under Luis Felipe Scolari it is arguable that he may have had greater freedom to express himself, as "Big Phil" is known to base the attacking emphasis of his teams on his wide players).

There is no better opportunity for him to do this than at Manchester City where the majority of fans fondly remembers him. Indeed, SWP has expressed his "delight" at re-signing for the club, which gave him his senior debut.

If he can reproduce the form synonymous with his first spell in the light blue of City, Mr. Capello will come knocking and everything will be alright again in the world of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

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