Ashley Cole: A player reborn

When Ashley Cole made the move across London early in the 2006/07 season, many football fans were of the opinion that Chelsea has just claimed the signature of the best left back, possibly wing back in the world. However to say the England man had a slow start at the Bridge would be an understatement.

Cole’s reputation had a lot to live up to. The ex-Arsenal man did not do any favours for himself as he turned North London, and much of the rest of the country against him, making vastly arrogant statements regarding his self valuation, expressing shock at the Gunners unwillingness to offer him the world and more. These comments were the foundation of the infamous nickname ‘Cashley’ and prompted abuse for the Chelsea defender at every away game; not something that will have a good effect when trying to settle into a new team.

Cole struggled to find form at the Bridge, battling for a place with the now Manchester City left back Wayne Bridge and hindered by injuries, it was not the start that Cole and Chelsea would’ve hoped for.

The Chelsea and England man is known for his explosive attacking play down the left hand flank and it was with the appointment of Brazilian manager Luis Felipe Scolari that Cole really started to find his feet at the Bridge. It would be a widely accepted statement to suggest that there are not many positive things that Scolari bought to Stamford Bridge with his tenure marred with disappointment and failure; however the flair he injected into the wing backs is certainly appreciated by the Blues faithful.

Progressing from the Brazilian’s guidance, Cole has begun to find some of the best form of his life this season for the West London club. Cole has already scored twice in the Premiership for the Blues this campaign and has been instrumental in an excellent start to the season for the two-time Premier League winners. A goal against Tottenham in a home fixture in late September will be one of Cole’s personal season highlights, in which he ran a significant distance of the field to meet a low cross with a diving header, breaking the deadlock in a game that Chelsea hadn’t started particularly well. The left back’s importance to the Chelsea starting eleven was shown last weekend as he was given painkilling injections in order to participate in The Battle of the Bridge against title rivals Man Utd. Ancelotti clearly felt the risk of an injury was one worth taking for Cole’s defensive and attacking threat.

The left back’s recent form has prompted superlatives from Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. One of the world’s most despised players has praised another as the Real Madrid star stated; “He is very quick and always hard tackling. It’s not easy to leave him behind, he’s the one that made me more trouble than any other defender that I have faced.” Cole should regard these comments very highly from a player he is quick to dish out praise upon himself but slow to lay it upon others.

I’m sure ‘Cashley’ will be expecting some kind of pay rise after his recent surge in form. If not, don’t be surprised to see him at Gatwick Airport in the summer awaiting the next flight to Manchester to join the billionaires at City! Joking aside though, the left back has been experiencing some of the best form of his career and is finally starting to justify all the drama that Chelsea went through to secure his services. His fitness is likely to be integral to Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they contend with England’s and Europe’s biggest clubs for domestic and European glory.