Shaun Wright Philips has secured the move that will set him up for life. He will never have to worry about paying a bill for as long as he lives and probably neither will his children. Or their children.

On that level there is no doubt that he has made the right decision by moving from Manchester City to Chelsea. But, in terms of his career and his football, I think he may have made a mistake.

Jose Mourinho speaks very highly of the young winger, describing him as one of the most exciting talents in English football. No doubt about that. And exciting talent needs a variety of things to become actual talent including nurturing, security, coaching and confidence building.

All of which he will get in abundance at Stamford Bridge, especially under the protective, us-against-the-world wing of Mourinho.

But there is one thing that players like Shaun need most if they are ever to fulfill their true potential and achieve their football destiny. One thing which he is absolutely not guaranteed at Chelsea – regular first team football.

Players like Shaun need to be on the pitch, week-in, week-out in order to continue their development and, with so many other extremely talented wingers at the club, that just isn’t going to happen.

With Wright Philips’ arrival the total number of wide players at Chelsea now stands at four – the new boy, Joe Cole, Damien Duff and Arjen Robben. Four world class players competing for two slots in the team.

To be honest I understand Mourinho’s desire to bring in an extra winger. Large parts of last season he was bereft of both Robben and Duff leaving him with just Cole to play out wide.

And, if you have the sort of money he does, why not bring another world class player in as cover? A smart move from Chelsea’s point of view.

While there is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition, at Shaun’s young age sitting on the bench waiting for his opportunity will not give him the experience he needs.

Shaun should have stayed at City for a couple more seasons, let Stuart Pearce build the team around him and be getting the regular football he needs to grow as a player.

And it’s not just Shaun who I think will be hurt by this move. The English national team too will suffer. Of course, there is always the possibility that Jose may opt for Cole and Wright Phillips as his first choice wingers. But that is unlikely and, the chances are, at least one, or possibly both, of them will be warming the bench next season waiting for an opportunity to impress.

Shaun himself believes the move will enhance his prospects of forming an integral part of the England team next summer. I think the opposite. Watch this space.

Dramatic U-turns

It seems to be the summer for dramatic U-turns in the world of football.

Following hot on the heels of Steven Gerrard’s 11th hour decision to stay at Liverpool, we now have Ashley Cole not only deciding not to leave Arsenal but now signing a contract extension that will keep him at Highbury until 2008.

And this just a few months after Cole declared that his Arsenal career had been finished by vice-chairman David Dein. “I will never be able to wear my beloved Arsenal shirt again,” Cole had sobbed.

Somehow, and maybe a 100 per cent plus pay rise has a little to do with it, that previous melancholic attitude has been replaced by optimism.

“I just can’t wait for the new season to start so we can regain the Premiership title,” Cole said eagerly.

It’s amazing what a difference a few weeks can make in the world of football. A few weeks and few thousand pounds...

David Cluett

And now a small tribute to David Cluett.

I had the pleasure of seeing him play on many occasions and the title of Malta’s best goalkeeper ever is high praise that is perfectly warranted. For him to lose his fight for life at the tender age of 39 is truly sad.

Malta has lost a footballing statesman, a fantastic sportsman and a genuinely nice man.

Contact James on: [email protected]