Ashley Cole

[The_Flash 1,144]

Because Roy is a ****** he should have begged Cole and Terry to play. Has he seen how poor both Rooney and Welbeck have been this season. Ah well the inevitable of the manager getting sacked after the tournament maybe the next guy will have the sense to beg Cole and Terry to come back.

[iseah100 5,612]

England will be missing their 2 best defenders . Retired.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He's gone!

[Pizy 17,860]

Just saw his tweet. Will always love him.

Ricardo Rodriguez or Luke Shaw hijack COMMENCE!

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

What a LEGEND!!!! Can't ask for anything more from him he represented club and country at a world class level. I really hoped Chelsea would've cultured another LB under his tutelage. Bertrand, Van Aanholt, Shaw... One of them needed to get something from him, don't feel we've taken full advantage of the situation we had here.

[Barbara 15,149]

easily predictable we wouldn't give him a new contract, but such nice words from Ash.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

One of my favourite ever CFC players. Wow, I actually thought he was going to stay for at least on more season, but I can't blame him for leaving now. When he first came in from Arsenal, I looked at him as a bit of a mercenary just here to do a job and get paid but over the years my opinion of him has changed drastically. The media (they do choose their victims, don't they?) loved to portray him as THE bad guy who dumped Cheryl, but instead I look at him as some Antihero, like Batman or even Michael Corleone. He was never the moral, upright, goody two-shoes professional others like Gerrard and Beckham pretended to be. Ash was just Ash. What you saw was what you got.

As for his footballing ability, it was never in question. His many tussles with Ronaldo, even from his Arsenal days was stuff of legend. Which other full-back could completely neutralize the threat of the Portuguese, so much so that Ferguson played him permanently on a different wing in the CL final 08' to avoid crossing paths with Cole? His England career was brilliant. Him being England's best and most consistent performer for the best part of a decade. A fullback earning 107 caps for his country....no mean feat.

This season hasn't been his best, admittedly. The rib injury didn't help matters, but he's still shown his class when it mattered most. I remember how he utterly shut out Robben in the Super Cup at the start of the season. That was mightily impressive to completely neutralize one of the best wingers in the world in such a manner. I still think he was treated fairly harshly by Jose. I never for a second thought he was "done", not as quick as before yes, but still more than good enough to be our starting LB. Azpilicueta should have been our RB this season not Ivanovic. But that's all in the past now.

Proper CFC legend. The god of the "goal-line interception".

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Ash you legend !

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

19th of May seems like a day of announcements and disclosures. van Gaal announced. Luis Enrique returning to Barca as manager.Giggs retiring. Ash leaving us. Woooow.

[LAM09 6,547]

Looks like he has played his last game in a blues shirt. Great servant, and he will be truly missed.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/05/20/4829038/ashley-cole-staying-at-chelsea-is-not-an-option

[Pizy 17,860]

He's now removed "Chelsea and England footballer" from his bio.

Goodbye, Ash!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I think it will be a mistake not extending for one more year, but oh well...what a legend. Thank you for all the moments Ash! Its been privilege to watch best full back of last 10 years in our club.

[The Mak 4,459]

To be totally honest, he could contribute a hell of a lot more than Lampard next season.

He'll be missed as soon as Azpi takes his rightful spot at RB or injuries/suspension take their toll, because...

[Amblève. 4,995]

Chelsea legend. He stood by his words till the end.

Thank you, Ash.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Ashley.

Being forced out of both England and Chelsea in just a couple of weeks must have done a number on him wow. Really wanted him to retire here next season.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Can't believe Lamps got a new deal while Ashley gets the boot.

[Nike 373]

Come to the United States.

Play football and party like a rockstar!

[DavidEU 2,023]

Truely one of the best players and athletes to ever wear our shirt.

Never thought I'd say this when he signed 8 years ago, but he leaves as blue as Frank, Didier, JT, Petr etc. I remember Drogba being interviewed on the pitch in Munich saying that belonging to this club means behaving in a certain way as a player and adopting an attitude and passion for the shirt. Those words sum up what this club did to Ashley over his time.

Legend, Ashley.