Wright-Phillips to City, but why?

England regular Shaun Wright-Phillips has re-signed for former club Manchester City on a four year deal. The fee of the transfer is believed to be around £9.5 million. But under what pretences has Wright-Phillips re-signed for City? He was reportedly offered deals to join Portsmouth and Everton, so why City?

The adopted son of Ian Wright is going to earn a staggering £80,000 per week at Eastlands. Twice what would have been offered at Everton due to their strict wage budgeting, which sees Arteta and Yakubu; top earners, on roughly £40,000 per week. This greed could be a part as to why Shaun chose City. Portsmouth would probably have been able to finance a wage of around £50,000 per week (his wages at Chelsea) with all their new signings this season, but even that would dent their wage structure quite considerably.

Again, why City? With the teams future resting on the finances of a potential crook in the form of Thaskin Shinawatra, it’s not as if it is the most stable of clubs to join at present. Their form in both league and cup competitions has been distinctly average. A quarter final appearance in the League Cup last year being their best cup run since a semi-final appearance in 1981. On the league front, finishing ninth after having spent nearly £30 million on fresh blood, it must have been seen as a real disappointment, and shows how the club aren’t even the best outside of the top four. Based on last season, it seems both Everton and Portsmouth are stronger and better than Manchester City.

Based on the fact that he has already had a spell at City, could the 26-year-old just simply be rekindling previous loyalty and love for the area? £80,000 per week would have persuaded him to do so! But, to be fair, he did have a nine-year stint at Eastlands (including his time with the youth side).

For whatever reason Wright-Phillips chose City. A few years ago, he looked like he could have emulated Beckham, and it is now apparent that his move to Chelsea has been detrimental on his career. Perhaps a return to Manchester will assist a rebirth in his career, while I don’t think City fans will mind his brief absence for the sake of £12 million, a deal which now seems an extraordinary bit of business.