Ashley Cole, whose photo is below, is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back at Los Angeles Galaxy. From 2001 to 2014, he played for the England team. Cole is the reference left lateral in the history of the English Premier League. His height is 176 centimeters, weight - 66 kilograms. During his career, he performed at such famous clubs as Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Roma. He achieved the greatest success in England during his career at Chelsea and Arsenal.
Brief Biographical Information
Future footballer Ashley Cole was born on December 20th, 1980 in London (England). From early childhood he began to get involved and play football. Cole is a pupil of the London Arsenal, in the youth composition of which he played in the period from 1997 to 1998.
His professional career began in the fall of 1998, when the leadership of the Gunners offered a contract to a young and promising defender. In November 1999 he made his debut in a duel against Middlesbrough. The player could not immediately gain a foothold in the base, due to the lack of professional gaming practice. As a result, it was leased to the Crystal Palace Club in the 1999/2000 season.
Arsenal Achievements
For eight seasons, he has been an invaluable key player in the Arsenal foundation. As part of the club, he became two-time champion of the Premier League, three-time winner of the national cup and two-time winner of the Super Bowl of England. In total, he played 156 games for the Gunners, in which he managed to record 8 goals in his asset.
Careers at Chelsea
On the last day of summer 2006, he signed a contract with Chelsea. The parties agreed that in exchange for Cole, Arsenal will receive the French centerback William Gallas and receive a surcharge of 5 million pounds. As part of the "pensioners" acted until 2014. During this period he took part in 229 matches and scored 7 goals.
It is safe to say that the years spent in this club were marked by the greatest success in his career. Here Ashley Cole became the Premier League champion, four-time winner of the FA Cup, winner of the Football League Cup and Community Shield. Also in the “blue” won the Champions League 2012 and the Europa League 2013.
Career at Italian Roma
In the summer transfer window of 2014, he joined Roma as a free agent. The leadership of the "Romans" warmly accepted the decision of the legendary English defender. The contract was signed for two years. Despite Cole’s abilities and his football viability, the yellow-red head coach Rudy Garcia almost never used the player in the team. At some point, Ashley even resigned himself to such a fate and became the entrenched watchman of the shop for substitutes. However, when Cole was not included in the application for the 2015/2016 season, his ambitions leaped, and the story in the Italian club ended. The agreement was terminated by mutual agreement of the parties in January 2016.
A week after leaving Roma, the footballer signed a contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy, in which he was offered and provided with conditions that he could not refuse.
Play style
Ashley Cole is considered one of the few phenomenal players on the defensive line. The footballer is the master of the left flank, where due to his speed he is able to break through the edge and create a dangerous moment. Thus, Cole is the left back who supports the forward game. Many great coaches and football players speak of him as a characteristic and determined football player. During appearances for Arsenal’s youth squad, Ashley studied and analyzed the game of teammate and compatriot Nigel Winterburn, who also played on the left flank of the defense. Over the following years, Ashley Cole surpassed his teacher and continued to play his role. His other unspoken teacher is Roberto Carlos, based on whose play Cole became a football superstar.