BRIDGE OF SIGHS

Wayne says erratic Chelsea are paying price for lack of leaders in squad

- Alan Smith

TWENTY years ago Wayne Bridge was part of an influx of young talent at Chelsea.

But the key difference between the Noughties and the club's recent overhaul is the squad Bridge joined contained a host of leaders to nurture the likes of Joe Cole and Damien Duff.

That 2004 team was packed with proven big-game performers such as Marcel Desailly, William Gallas and Claude Makelele.

When Bridge looks at the current crop, the only leader he sees among the mass of youth is Thiago Silva, 39.

And the absence of inspirational figures in the dressing room is the primary reason why Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get a regular tune out of his £1billion team.

Bridge said: "When I went there I was 23.