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Atlético interested in SWP?

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Rumours abound that Chelsea`s pint-sized winger Shaun Wright-Phillips will leave Chelsea, with Spurs a possibility. Atlético Madrid are also said to be interested.

One has to feel sorry for Shaun Wright-Phillips. Once feted as one of English football`s brightest hopes when at Manchester City, he has failed to shine after his £21 million move to Chelsea. Fed up with sitting on the bench (on a good day) he is said to want to leave Stamford Bridge, during the Winter transfer window if possible, for a club where he can increase his playing time.

As if the fact that he`s so desperate that he`s considering Spus doesn`t increase our sympathy for the likeable player, we learn that Atlético Madrid are also interested. Apparently Atlético have been monitoring his situation, and they were keen on him over the summer, even if a deal couldn`t be hammered up.

We learn that SWP has only played 5 games and 171 minutes this season. The only goal to his name during his Chelsea career was that scored in a friendly against Celtic in August, a match that was memorable only for the empty stands at Stamford Bridge. His lack of playing time and starts is clearly getting to him, and even when he does start, he rarely finishes a game. This season Chelsea are playing 4-4-2 which reduces his options. If one winger is being given any chances, it`s Arjen Robben. Whilst Joe Cole`s injury should have opened options for Wright-Phillips, Cole is just about ready to come back. One wonders where SWP could fit in.

And at Atlético? As a small and pacy winger, it is considered that he would fit in nicely at Atlético, particularly as the club has suffered injuries to two of their forwards, Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Petrov. Apparently, since Chelsea are looking to offload the player, a loan to Atlético could be considered. Atlético had yet another frontman injured this weekend – Mista – in a season which is turning their treatment room into the busiest part of the club. President Enrique Cerezo has insisted that the club is not thinking about signing anyone for the moment despite the numerous injuries the club is suffering, but come winter, that is likely to change. Apparently the preferred policy is to collect as much information as possible on potential signings rather than snapping up the first available bodies.

We consider that this is a serious possibility, all the more so as the alternative, Spurs, is not likely to endear the player to the Chelsea fans, with a loan over Christmas fairly probable. However, if the deal does happen, Shaun should bear in mind that previous Chelsea players who have made the trip to the Vicente Calderon haven`t necessarily fared well: Jesper Gronkjaer didn`t last even one season and Mateja Kezman saw out just the one. Atlético did sign Maniche this summer, but he wasn`t ever really a Chelsea player. Nevertheless, Shaun Wright-Phillips is considered a potential signing for the club both from a team and an economic point of view.

Nevertheless, we also expect Shaun to be given a chance in tomorrow`s Carling Cup game against Blackburn.

In other Chelsea – Atlético news, the Spanish press has noticed the piece in the People (always a reliable source) that Chelsea are keen to sabotage Manchester United`s attempts to sign Fernando Torres. The figure cited in the trashy tabloid, £25 million, is considered sufficient to make Atlético consider an offer seriously, even though Chelsea`s alleged desire to sign El Niño over the winter is considered a tad premature. Maybe during next summer?

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