Cole joins the Roma revolution

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The TalkChelsea community wishes Ashley Cole the best of luck for the future after the defender agreed a two-year deal with AS Roma on Monday.

Cole, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 - as well the 2013 Europa League, the FA Cup in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, the Premier League in 2010, the Community Shield in 2009 and the Football League Cup in 2007 - played 338 times for the Blues.

He scored seven goals for the - all in the Premier League - with the most famous of which being a magnificent solo effort in a 7-2 thrashing of Sunderland in 2009/10:

Cole transferred to Chelsea in 2006 in a player-plus-cash deal, which saw William Gallas join Arsenal in exchange.

Though he found securing a first-team place to be a difficult task considering the form of Wayne Bridge, Cole eventually settled in to his new surroundings and became an instant fans' favourite.

Nearly 340 appearances later, Cole leaves as one of the greatest defenders Chelsea Football Club has ever fielded. Though his attacking instincts were somewhat curbed both early and late on in his Blues career by José Mourinho, Cole always maintained a consistent level defensively, and was widely considered the world's best left-back in his time at Chelsea.

Notable for his important goalline clearances, Cole possessed both blistering pace and an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time. In battles against the Premier League's greatest wingers, both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo were often sent home with their tails tucked firmly between their legs after a tussle with England's number 3.

Amassing more than 100 England caps, Cole was ridiculously left out of the World Cup squad by Roy Hodgson in a move that badly backfired on the England manager as Leighton Baines - Cole's supposed replacement - endured a torrid time in both matches he played.

England clearly missed Cole's experience, and Chelsea shall too.

Cole joins the Italian giants on a two-year deal, with the potential for a third - and he will, no doubt, prove a big hit in Rome.

We wish you all the best, legend.

Thank you.