Noughty Boys: Ashley Cole, an elite left-back whose ability was overshadowed by his celebrity

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/3f76cb79-30d2-4e85-92a2-6abb9a032fba

I never used to give a damn about Ashley Cole's life off the field. It never had any negative affect on his performances so it wasn't a problem for me. The only people that seemed to give a damn were people interested in those gossip mags like OK.

I dare say he's still good enough to get in our first team ... even at age 38 ... ?

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

I dare say he's still good enough to get in our first team ... even at age 38 ... ?

I reckon I could do a turn in our back 4 at 50!!! Would be quicker than Alonso

Apparently Ash is coming back as an coach for U15s. Was offered the same role at Arsenal but the wages were a joke 

On 31/08/2019 at 22:04, Munkworth said:

Apparently Ash is coming back as an coach for U15s. Was offered the same role at Arsenal but the wages were a joke 

I heard he nearly crashed his car ? 

On 01/05/2019 at 19:37, Sexyfootball said:

I dare say he's still good enough to get in our first team ... even at age 38 ... ?

No, sorry but no.

He was struggling physically from as early as the post double season, if he played now he would make Ivanovic's decline look like a minor drop off.

Arguably the only player in the Premier League era to have a legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time at his position, other than Ronaldo.

2 hours ago, Jonty said:

Arguably the only player in the Premier League era to have a legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time at his position, other than Ronaldo.

Makalele 

Peter Schmeical is the best keeper I recall, even though his top level career finished just after the premier league started. 

5 hours ago, Jonty said:

Arguably the only player in the Premier League era to have a legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time at his position, other than Ronaldo.

I think it would be difficult to make an argument to the contrary. By any means of debating GOATS he holds up. Absolute peak, level of the league and opposition, titles won, and longevity. He was perfect. Seldom got the praise he deserved. 

In my lifetime only three keepers I can remember who changed teams, won big games and trophies practically on there own, Peter Shilton even the great Brian Clough said the forest team went up a level late 70's early 80's when he joined, who remembers the 1980 European cup final Forest v Hamburg, shilts in his pomp, Schmeical moved goalkeeping on with his presence and ability to dominate strikers when faced with a one on one, and Petr Cech is the third keeper again pushed Chelsea onto another level and always the player for the big game. All three keepers won European cups with outstanding displays in the biggest club game of them all, 1980, 1999 and 2012

14 minutes ago, chi blue said:

In my lifetime only three keepers I can remember who changed teams, won big games and trophies practically on there own, Peter Shilton even the great Brian Clough said the forest team went up a level late 70's early 80's when he joined, who remembers the 1980 European cup final Forest v Hamburg, shilts in his pomp, Schmeical moved goalkeeping on with his presence and ability to dominate strikers when faced with a one on one, and Petr Cech is the third keeper again pushed Chelsea onto another level and always the player for the big game. All three keepers won European cups with outstanding displays in the biggest club game of them all, 1980, 1999 and 2012

Agreed. Of course the man who Cech replaced was the often forgot Cudicini, who is the keeper Kepa wishes he was. What a fabulous shot stopper he was. I think us fans were all intrigued that we'd signed a new goalkeeper given what we had, then in just a matter of games I felt we all looked at eachother and went "wow" this Cech is on another level.

Edited October 1, 20196 yr by Hornswoggle

best LB this country has ever seen

6 hours ago, Jonty said:

Arguably the only player in the Premier League era to have a legitimate claim to being the greatest of all time at his position, other than Ronaldo.

Imagine that for a left wing Cole - Giggs - Ronaldo. Hazard would be on the bench.

5 hours ago, Kev56 said:

Makalele 

I mean he has to be the greatest player ever to play in the Makelele position....

1 hour ago, Hornswoggle said:

Agreed. Of course the man who Cech replaced was the often forgot Cudicini, who is the keeper Kepa wishes he was. What a fabulous shot stopper he was. I think us fans were all intrigued that we'd signed a new goalkeeper given what we had, then in just a matter of games I felt we all looked at eachother and went "wow" this Cech is on another level.

Spot on, yes I always thought Carlo was quality, but once big Pete arrived it was another level

Great picture of Ashley with fans in the States.