Premier League News: Ashley Cole says he almost left Chelsea
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has revealed that during the summers he almost parted ways with the Blues to join his former boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.
According to a British newspaper Daily Mail, Ashley Cole said that he was looking to leave not only Chelsea but English football altogether. He added that he was looking for a fresh start in a new league and a new country,
due to the media backlash on the breakdown of his relationship with his ex-wife Cheryl Cole. Ashley was caught cheating on his wife and the reports were published all over the tabloids which left the English defender in all sorts of problems.
"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,” said Cole.
However, the former Arsenal player said that he is glad that he decided to stay back. He added that when the news of him leaving started to surface, people at the club told him that he has to stay and face the media head on. Cole
said that now that he has stayed and dealt with all the tabloids, he is glad that he did not leave, and after going through everything, he has no doubts that it was all worth it.
While comparing the reign of the new manager Carlo Ancelotti to his other bosses, Cole said that he has always enjoyed playing in the Premier League, and never has there been a case where he has had problems with the manager. He
added, though, that under Carlo there is something different. Cole said that Ancelotti knows how to blend in with the players; he added that Carlo knows when to act as one of the guys and when to assert his authority. The left-back said that Ancelotti comes
to the training and mixes in with jokes and laughs, but at the same time does manage to give his piece of mind on what needs to be done to improve the display on the pitch.
Ashley Cole went on to say that a manager like Ancelotti is loved by all players in the team, and somehow he brings out the best in not just him but every player in the squad. Cole said that that is why all players want to go out
and fight on the pitch for the manager.
Cole, who came through the ranks at Arsenal, said that he wants to end his career in London. Cole said that he has a special attachment with London as this is where it all happened for him. His current contract at Chelsea runs
till the end of 2012 season.
While looking ahead, he said that for now it would be too early to predict anything; he is taking it season by season. Cole added that before he hangs his boots, he would love to win the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, as it
is the only piece of silverware missing from his trophy cabinet.
Ashley Cole reflected back to the two finals in the UEFA Champions League that he has lost: in 2006, he played in the final with Arsenal and they were beaten by Barcelona, and 2 years later, in Moscow, Chelsea were one kick away
from the trophy when John Terry slipped on the wet turf and Manchester United ended up winning the title.
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