Month: November 2016

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has named Ashley Cole as the toughest opponent he has faced in his career.

It comes as a major praise for the former England international, who is now approaching the end of his career. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest left backs of the last couple of decades,Cole seemed like an Arsenal player through and through before his shock move to Chelsea in 2006. However, this enabled him to experience some of the biggest successes in world football after he lifted the FA Cup numerous times and the Champions League title too.

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has named Ashley Cole as the toughest opponent he has faced in his career.

It comes as a major praise for the former England international, who is now approaching the end of his career. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest left backs of the last couple of decades,Cole seemed like an Arsenal player through and through before his shock move to Chelsea in 2006. However, this enabled him to experience some of the biggest successes in world football after he lifted the FA Cup numerous times and the Champions League title too.

Cole’s time at Chelsea was also met with Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise at Manchester United. The Portuguese superstar was experiencing an upturn in fortunes with every year, and it culminated in the move to Real Madrid in 2009. However, in the three years alone, Ronaldo came up againstCole on numerous occasions in all competitions like the Premier League, FA Cup, and of course, the Champions League final.

Even though Ronaldo has come up against numerous top defenders throughout his career, he still putsCole as the most difficult he has ever faced.Cole is currently playing with LA Galaxy and he is widely expected to retire in the next couple of years.

“Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game. There is a big mutual respect between myself and Lionel Messi. The media like to make out like we have this big rivalry, but we don’t. It is not like we are good friends, but there is a mutual respect on both sides,” said Ronaldo about Ashley Cole and Lionel Messi.

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been named among the best Three Lions players

Cole holds the record for most capped English full back, and his record of playing in three World Cups and two European Championships sets him apart from others. However, he holds the record for the player with most caps without goals by an outfield player.
Cole, admittedly, has never really been a fans’ favourite in an England shirt despite coaches and pundits easily naming him as England’s best left back in history.

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been named among the best Three Lions players

Cole holds the record for most capped English full back, and his record of playing in three World Cups and two European Championships sets him apart from others. However, he holds the record for the player with most caps without goals by an outfield player.
Cole, admittedly, has never really been a fans’ favourite in an England shirt despite coaches and pundits easily naming him as England’s best left back in history.

“I’m like everyone else, I have got feelings. I am not happy that everyone hates me but they don’t know me. I’m not this monster that some people think. People are looking for the bad stuff and don’t you a fair chance sometimes,” the player was quoted to have reacted to fan’s feelings by the Telegraph

Since former Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson left out the former Gunner from the 2014 World Cup squad, Cole’s international career came to an abrupt end. Luke Shaw – Cole’s replacement – doesn’t come close to his quality by a mile. Aside Cole, Peter Osgood is another ex-Blues star that would make any list of best England internationals.

It seems Chelsea have contributed some of the Three Lions best players as Frank Lampard is clearly another standout star. The current Major League Soccer (MLS) star has also featured in three World Cup tournaments. Lampard is famed for his impressive penalty-taking skills for England. His goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup is one of the major talking points that forced the adoption of goal line technology.
John Terry – another Chelsea player – would definitely make any list of England’s best internationals. Despite the scandals he has suffered in his career in the national team jersey, no one can write off the contributions of the Blues legend.