Ashley Cole

[Joe Cool 388]

He played a huge part in the equalizer. He and Azpi were crucial to the comeback we made.

I'm not saying he had a poor game by any means, once it became 10 vs 10 he started going forward more, but I was just kind of puzzled by the fact that he didn't do it more when it was 11 vs 11.

Generally, he hasn't been nearly as attack minded under Rafa as he had been.

[Madmax 9,219]

Obviously that's not the only reason, there's a whole host of others (poor game from Mata, probably fatigue), Lampard and Ramires in the pivot (we all know how that always turns out), Moses being useful as tits on a boar, etc. But my main point was that we haven't been seeing Cole go forward nearly as much as he used to, which is odd, considering the fact that he is (or was) one of the best in the business at doing that as a fullback.

I don't know, I kinda prefer him not going forward so much. He's 32, has a problematic ankle, has recently come back from injury, etc. Having said that, he still played a part in the winner ...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I'm not saying he had a poor game by any means, once it became 10 vs 10 he started going forward more, but I was just kind of puzzled by the fact that he didn't do it more when it was 11 vs 11.

Generally, he hasn't been nearly as attack minded under Rafa as he had been.

Manager's instructions. Rafa said once that he has a rule that only one of the two fullbacks should go forward in an attack. So when Azpi joins the attack, Ash has to stay back.

[Blue Armour 4,278]

He played a huge part in the equalizer. He and Azpi were crucial to the comeback we made.

I think you meant the winner? When he freed up Hazard in the penalty box to cross?

[Stats 7,053]

What, no love for Ashley after that performance at Villa? By far and away still the best leftback in England. Baines should worship the ground Cole walks on.

But what are your reasons for saying that? As a Chelsea fan it is easy to say Cole is the best LB in the world but facts is facts, he is not as good a she was before. He is exposed quite a lot and sometimes tbh I think he has been a liability this season. Baines in comparison has been superior to Cole all angles this season and that is obvious. Baines has been superb this season and I reckon he has surpassed Cole. Deserved to be in the team of the year.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I wish he would be around 28 yrs old

[Madmax 9,219]

But what are your reasons for saying that? As a Chelsea fan it is easy to say Cole is the best LB in the world but facts is facts, he is not as good a she was before. He is exposed quite a lot and sometimes tbh I think he has been a liability this season. Baines in comparison has been superior to Cole all angles this season and that is obvious. Baines has been superb this season and I reckon he has surpassed Cole. Deserved to be in the team of the year.

Firs things first, I said England, not the world. He is exposed quite a lot? We're watching different games then because I can't recollect occasions where too many wingers have skinned him on a consistent basis. Remains one of the best around, imo, in one v one situations. Baines' attacking play is better, I'll grant you that, and a part of that is down to how Everton play; most of their attacks come down the left where Baines and Pienaar are given free run. If you're talking numbers, of course Baines picks up more assists, but that's to be expected when he's their principal set piece taker. In fact, let's look at the numbers on whoscored : (defensive only)

Tackles per game : Cole 2.1 vs Baines 2.4

Interceptions per game : Cole 1.4 vs Baines 1.5

Fouls committed per game : Cole 0.4 vs Baines 0.8

Offsides won per game : Cole 0.1 vs Baines 0.1

Clearances per game : Cole 2.6 vs Baines 2

Was dribbled past : Cole 0.6 vs Baines 0.6

Shots blocked per game : Cole 0.2 vs Baines 0.2

Hardly " Baines in comparison has been superior to Cole all angles this season and that is obvious", is it? At best, he is a marginally better tackler. But then, he also commits twice as many fouls. They're equal in terms of offsides won, one-v-one (thus, not 'exposed a lot of times') and blocked shots. Cole leads the way in terms of clearances, but that is obvious to any Chelsea watcher. Then you add in the fact that Baines is 4 years younger and Cole is playing with a dodgy ankle and it's not difficult to see how he is still the best leftback in E ngland

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Defensively, Cole is still miles ahead of Baines but the latter, now, offers more offensively. I'd still take Cole over Baines any day.

[Stats 7,053]

Firs things first, I said England, not the world. He is exposed quite a lot? We're watching different games then because I can't recollect occasions where too many wingers have skinned him on a consistent basis. Remains one of the best around, imo, in one v one situations. Baines' attacking play is better, I'll grant you that, and a part of that is down to how Everton play; most of their attacks come down the left where Baines and Pienaar are given free run. If you're talking numbers, of course Baines picks up more assists, but that's to be expected when he's their principal set piece taker. In fact, let's look at the numbers on whoscored : (defensive only)

Tackles per game : Cole 2.1 vs Baines 2.4

Interceptions per game : Cole 1.4 vs Baines 1.5

Fouls committed per game : Cole 0.4 vs Baines 0.8

Offsides won per game : Cole 0.1 vs Baines 0.1

Clearances per game : Cole 2.6 vs Baines 2

Was dribbled past : Cole 0.6 vs Baines 0.6

Shots blocked per game : Cole 0.2 vs Baines 0.2

Hardly " Baines in comparison has been superior to Cole all angles this season and that is obvious", is it? At best, he is a marginally better tackler. But then, he also commits twice as many fouls. They're equal in terms of offsides won, one-v-one (thus, not 'exposed a lot of times') and blocked shots. Cole leads the way in terms of clearances, but that is obvious to any Chelsea watcher. Then you add in the fact that Baines is 4 years younger and Cole is playing with a dodgy ankle and it's not difficult to see how he is still the best leftback in E ngland

As much as I like Cole he has been vulnerable several times. Valencia almost always gets the better of him when he plays against him. Sissoko who is not even a winger made Cole his bitch in that 3-2 loss and had him doing the merry go round for parts of the match. Also he seems to have lost miles of pace. I remember watching the game against United in the FA Cup and Welbeck just blew past him. A few times I have seen that with Cole now. Quality player, I agree with you but his performances are hit and miss and he is getting older and probably going to have worse performances. The Villa game was one of a few this season where I would say he had a very good game.

Also regarding Baines, I can honestly say I don't remember once this season where he has had a 'bad' game. He looks impressive every time I watch him and due to the narrow style we play, with not out and out wingers, I feel our play requires full/wing backs who are offensively dangerous like Baines. This is what IMO restricts us and is a hindrance because Cole is not offensively dangerous as he was before.

[Spike 12,049]

I wish he would get rid of that stupid mohican hairstyle. Gosh.

[Milan 17,853]

Cole: I've lost count of my medals

ASHLEY COLE admits he has lost count of how many medals he has won since joining Chelsea.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4929793/Ashley-Cole-is-unsure-of-Chelsea-medals-tally.html

I heard Arsenal players have been having the same problem

[nono 791]

Weirdly Cole gets so much more criticism than Lampard despite consistently playing better than him.

[Madmax 9,219]

Weirdly Cole gets so much more criticism than Lampard despite consistently playing better than him.

You seem obsessed with Lampard. Is that you, AvB?

[Milan 17,853]

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Apparently he's going to turn down captaining England on his 100th app: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10080052/Chelseas-Ashley-Cole-expected-to-rejected-offer-to-lead-England-out-against-Republic-of-Ireland.html

[Amblève. 4,995]

Apparently he's going to turn down captaining England on his 100th app: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/10080052/Chelseas-Ashley-Cole-expected-to-rejected-offer-to-lead-England-out-against-Republic-of-Ireland.html

Didn't he play his 100th match for England a few months back?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Didn't he play his 100th match for England a few months back?

I think that was his 99th.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Great finish: