The 10 best Left backs in the world (Part 2) – Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole: Ashley Cole is an England International football player currently playing for Barclays Premier League Champions, Chelsea FC. A young Cole joined the ranks of Arsenal youth academy in 1998, a club he has fiercely supported since
he was a kid. The youngster made his Premier League debut on May 14th, 2000, but first team opportunities were hard to come by. Cole got the opportunity to impress Arsene Wenger after Sylvinho; first choice left back then, got injured. Ashley Cole
seized the opportunity with both hands as he established himself as the primary left back. On the back of his impressive showings, the youngster was able to retain his position even after Sylvinho returned to full fitness.
Cole was a constant present during Arsenal’s dominance of the Premier League. With Arsenal, Cole was able to win 2 Premier League titles, 3 FA cups and a UEFA Champions League runners-up medal. Due to his supreme form, the left back made the PFA Team of
the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Cole also made the UEFA Team of the Year 2004 despite Arsenal losing out to FC Barcelona in the Champions League final.
His time with Arsenal however was coming to an end as the player was involved in a transfer scandal involving Chelsea FC. The player made illegal contact with the upcoming giants as Jose Mourinho wanted the marauding wing back at Stamford Bridge. Cole was
fined £75,000 for his behaviour as Arsenal refused to let go of him. The club-player relationship had hit rock bottom and a transfer away from the Gunners was inevitable.
Cole promptly made his transfer to Chelsea FC in 2006. Chelsea paid a reported 5m pounds and defender William Gallas in a part exchange deal. The transfer was deemed an act of betrayal by the Arsenal faithful and a host of Premier League followers. A majority
of the fans believe the transfer was more financially motivated than anything else. Such sentiments earned Ashley Cole the nickname ‘Cashley Cole’ and the Gunners’ fans can still be seen waving fake currency bills in his face whenever Chelsea plays away at
Emirates Stadium.
Despite much publicised war of words with his former employers, Cole has hit the ground running at Chelsea FC. The wing back has won a Premier League title and 3 FA cups with the club. European glory however, seems to elude the talented wingback as Chelsea
lost to Manchester United on penalties in the 2007/08 edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Ashley Cole has been a constant pick for the Three Lions since he made international debut in 2001. At 29 years of age, the wingback has already made 85 International Caps and he may well break Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances record in the England colours.
The wingback has been one of the best left backs in the world for a long time now and a strong interest from Real Madrid for his signature doesn’t seem to surprise anyone. With Stamford Bridge offers filled with Russian billions, Real Madrid is unlikely
to temp Chelsea in to selling their prized asset. Carlo Ancelotti has recently come out in the press and showered extravagant praise on his talented wingback, “Ashley is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs in the world and I strongly believe his best is
yet to come. That will definitely happen in a Chelsea jersey which pleases me even more”
Ancelotti’s comments make it clear that the lean and mean athlete isn’t going anywhere. Ashley Cole will continue to dazzle the Premier league crowds with his never ending stamina, marauding runs and deadly efficient crosses for years to come.
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