Ashley Cole stayed with Chelsea because of Carlo Ancelotti
Chelsea left back Ashley Cole admitted in a recent interview that the only thing that kept him at Stamford Bridge were the persuasion powers of Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti. The England international would have welcomed a move away from England especially
after his private life was brutally flaunted by the British media, and the opportunity presented itself in the form of a bid from former manager Jose Mourinho, now at Real Madrid.
Cole told reporters, “It was hard for me in my head. It wasn't just about the football; it was more my brain and it was getting too much for me. There were times when it was really hard. I did think about leaving but, of course, when I spoke to Ancelotti
he made it clear he wanted me to stay and loved having me around, and the players didn't want me to go. I'm glad I stayed. I've stayed now and I've taken the flak and hopefully I'm coming through it.”
Cole admitted that he was a big fan of Jose Mourinho, who brought him to the better side of London from underachievers Arsenal. However, Cole claimed that Ancelotti had brought together the team in ways Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guss
Hiddink never could. Not taking anything away from the achievements of the previous managers, but Ancelotti seems to have found the winning formula and the players seem to realize that.
The England defender reiterated that he enjoyed working under the Italian, he said, “I enjoyed them and worked really hard under them and they were good guys. But I don't know what it is with Carlo. He seems to be one of the lads. He knows when to be serious,
but he joins in at training and everyone enjoys having him around. When you have someone like that around you it makes you want to fight and win for him. He just brings out the best in the lot of us.”
Cole, who will soon be 30, said that he would like to end his football career at Stamford Bridge but revealed that an injury sustained during that time would say otherwise. His contract expires in 2013 and the defender was realistic enough to admit that
he did not expect to have a spot in the starting 11 until then; age was a big factor for that he said. The England international knows well enough that upcoming younger players are preferred over ageing ones and he’d have to work hard to keep his place.
Cole has a list of impressive achievements; the left back has six FA Cup medals, three English Premier League titles and one Carling Cup. Yet, the Chelsea defender is hungry for more success before he retires from the beautiful game. Cole of course would
like to lift the coveted Champions League trophy, the one trophy he was unable to win at former club Arsenal, and has come close to winning with the Blues more than once.
His international career has been as successful as his club career; Cole recently equalled the 86 cap record set by Kenny Sansom, for an England full back. He reached the 86 appearance mark on the night of England’s fixture against Montenegro in the 2012
Euro qualifiers and sent his shirt from that night to Sansom, a noble gesture. He now has his eyes set on the 100 caps mark, which going on his recent performances, looks like a strong possibility.
Chelsea have had a good start to both the Premier League and the Champions League, currently sitting top of the table and their group in both competitions. Anyone would agree that Ashley Cole has played a big part in their success, the modern left back not
only fulfils his duty as a defender but constantly goes forward on the left flank and provides the ball, creating chances for the forwards. Despite of his age, he still has a few good years left in him and is eager to lift more trophies with the Blue.
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