Man City would have gone into administration if they hadn’t sold me – I didn’t have a choice about leaving

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS revealed Manchester City would have gone into administration if they hadn't sold him to Chelsea in 2005.

Wright-Phillips, 43, joined City's academy at the age of 17 and was promoted to the first team only a year later when he rose to prominence.

After six impressive years with Man City, the former winger started to attract interest from his father Ian Wright's former club Arsenal who were planning a bid in January 2006.

However, Chelsea beat their London rivals to the punch in July 2005 following a £21million deal with the Citizens.

The ex-England international wanted to stay at the Etihad but his agent insisted he didn't have a choice, without providing any further details.

And a few months later, the former Queens Parks Rangers star found out City had to sell him to the Blues or else the club was going to go into administration.

Wright-Phillips told Ladbrokes: “The summer I left, I’d heard that Arsenal were interested, and there was some inquiries into that between the two clubs from what I remember.

“I was asked would I go, and I just said no – I was a kid! It wasn't about leaving City to play for a bigger team.

“I was just happy where I was, and I enjoyed playing football from Manchester City.

“So I didn't think about going to Arsenal to have a chance to win the league or be a part of what's going on there. Basically, I just said that it's not for me.

“I said to my agent that I'm happy where I am, but then he told me I didn’t really have a choice. He didn't explain all the details behind it.

“He just kind of said I don't really have a choice, but we're waiting to see what Arsene Wenger‘s going to say.

“And then he said that he would like me but that we’d have to wait until January.

“Then Chelsea just bid, Man City accepted it and then I just had to leave.

“It was only a few months later I found out that if they didn't sell me, if they didn't get that fee, the club was going to go into administration. So that was the reason why I left.”