Shaun Wright-Phillips (born 25 October 1981 in London and is of
Grenadian and Jamaican heritage) is an English association
football player. He is the adopted son of the famous player Ian
Wright, and half-brother to fellow player Bradley Wright-Phillips
and brother to the upcoming youth player Brett Wright-Phillips.
He grew up in Brockley South London and attended the state
school Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College, nearby in New Cross
Gate. He currently plays for Chelsea F.C., and as of October
2005 he is a member of the England national squad and seems
close to winning a regular place on the team.
After being released by Nottingham Forest at the age of 15 for
being "too small", Manchester City F.C. took him to Maine Road.
He later made his debut at Port Vale and went on to become a
regular starter in the Premiership. His determination and
courage make him one of the most exciting players to emerge from
the English Academy in years.
He scored an impressive goal in his England debut against
Ukraine on 18 August 2004, after coming on as a substitute, and
made his first start for England on February 9, 2004 against the
Netherlands.
On 17 November 2004, he became one of the main targets of racist
chants from the crowd at an international "friendly" between
England and Spain in Madrid. However, he brushed that aside with
an incredible match-winning performance in his next Manchester
City game at Portsmouth, saying to reporters after the game, "I
just let the football do the talking."
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."
The England winger completed his £21million move to Stamford
Bridge on 17 July 2005 to join the Barclays Premiership
champions and return to his native London.
Wright-Phillips joined Chelsea on a five-year contract after
agreeing to personal terms and passing a medical. He had
previously said he would not leave Manchester City.
He has made 23 appearances for Chelsea this season, mainly as a
substitute, and is yet to score a goal for his new club.
