Ashley Cole

[Kieran. 6,317]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP_Av0owvYc

Big game player.

[Blue Armour 4,278]

The argument of taking younger players for the experience only works if they are going to play. What true experience is obtained by someone sitting on a bench? As far as I'm concerned if (a big and unlikely if, but still) we make it to the quarter finals or beyond and Baines is injured or suspended, I would much rather have Cole at left back than Shaw.

Personally,am not sure even Baines has enough experience at this level...but that's just my opinion.

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

Stupid decision by Roy Hodgson I feel and I'm not even English lol.

Why take 2 players to a World Cup who have NO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WORLD CUP OR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE?

Baines is a good and solid defender but still he's better going forward like most fullbacks these days, the same with Shaw. England aren't going to be playing a particularly open or expansive style anyway so really it also doesn't make sense as much because Ashley Cole has been playing in a Chelsea team which has always been good at defending deep and soaking up pressure for years, like England will no doubt play in some games with 2 banks of four and a low block. Even if Ashley is gonna be a back up, hes better to have as backup for experience incase Baines gets injured than Luke Shaw.

Imagine if Baines gets injured or suspended and England have to play Uruguay or Italy or any other big team in the tournament like a Brazil, a Spain or a Argentina with a very inexperienced 18 year old LB who has played 45 minutes for England? Not saying hes a bad player, he's a very good young player but you'd think Roy would want some sort of 'safer' backup option in Ashley Cole or even Kieran Gibbs who is a bit older and has played in Europe with Arsenal and looked pretty good this year.

Shaw will get plenty of world cups and be an England regular but sometimes you throw young guys in at the deep end and they float and sometimes they sink, imagine if he has a bad world cup? I mean if he does move to Man United like expected this summer then he needs to have a good World Cup and then hit the ground running there, so it really is a big big challenge for him if say Baines gets injured or Roy starts with him.

Still I can't believe Cole isn't going even if hes apparently 'past it' or is too old, still the best LB in the Premier League. Showed how good he can be against Liverpool where he contained Raheem Sterling and Atletico where he was outstanding also.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP_Av0owvYc

Big game player.

That block won us the Champ League, dont think we would have come back had we needed to win 3-0

[Shane 2,275]

I really think he is the best left back in history.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Feels sad if he is really leaving. From Jose words, there is a little hope he will stay. I believe if he has another year with us, he could perform better and consistent just like Terry after decided to retire from international football, pressure off. Cole with backup Azpi as left back, Azpi and Ivanovic compete for right back.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I really think he is the best left back in history.

Roberto Carlos? Maldini? Ashley is certainly up there though.

[iceman 329]

I really think he is the best left back in history.

and stupid FA no longer need this person.

JT as a one of the two best CB in England (second one is Garry) as well

[iseah100 5,612]

Stupid decision by Roy Hodgson I feel and I'm not even English lol.

Why take 2 players to a World Cup who have NO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WORLD CUP OR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE?

Baines is a good and solid defender but still he's better going forward like most fullbacks these days, the same with Shaw. England aren't going to be playing a particularly open or expansive style anyway so really it also doesn't make sense as much because Ashley Cole has been playing in a Chelsea team which has always been good at defending deep and soaking up pressure for years, like England will no doubt play in some games with 2 banks of four and a low block. Even if Ashley is gonna be a back up, hes better to have as backup for experience incase Baines gets injured than Luke Shaw.

Imagine if Baines gets injured or suspended and England have to play Uruguay or Italy or any other big team in the tournament like a Brazil, a Spain or a Argentina with a very inexperienced 18 year old LB who has played 45 minutes for England? Not saying hes a bad player, he's a very good young player but you'd think Roy would want some sort of 'safer' backup option in Ashley Cole or even Kieran Gibbs who is a bit older and has played in Europe with Arsenal and looked pretty good this year.

Shaw will get plenty of world cups and be an England regular but sometimes you throw young guys in at the deep end and they float and sometimes they sink, imagine if he has a bad world cup? I mean if he does move to Man United like expected this summer then he needs to have a good World Cup and then hit the ground running there, so it really is a big big challenge for him if say Baines gets injured or Roy starts with him.

Still I can't believe Cole isn't going even if hes apparently 'past it' or is too old, still the best LB in the Premier League. Showed how good he can be against Liverpool where he contained Raheem Sterling and Atletico where he was outstanding also.

Very good point. Baines isn't even better than Cole though. Just cause a player is younger, doesn't mean he's better than his older competitor. Cole and Terry should both start for England. Wanna know what English fans think though..

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

How the media know things like that? Roy told them?!

[Reddish-Blue 2,345]

Very good point. Baines isn't even better than Cole though. Just cause a player is younger, doesn't mean he's better than his older competitor. Cole and Terry should both start for England. Wanna know what English fans think though..

Well after the whole Ferdinand thing...Terry had to retire, which is a shame considering he's still the best England CB.

As for Cole, poor decision by the England manager to leave him out of the squad

[iseah100 5,612]

Well after the whole Ferdinand thing...Terry had to retire, which is a shame considering he's still the best England CB.

As for Cole, poor decision by the England manager to leave him out of the squad

That was just ridiculous. Made more than it was.

How does that affect England's chances of making it out if the group stage?

[Madmax 9,219]

IMO, it's unfair when players who've helped you qualify for a WC aren't taken to the actual tournament in favour of someone who's done nothing to help you get there. You either bring new players in from the qualification process itself or you don't.

[iseah100 5,612]

IMO, it's unfair when players who've helped you qualify for a WC aren't taken to the actual tournament in favour of someone who's done nothing to help you get there. You either bring new players in from the qualification process itself or you don't.

Absolutely. That's why Carlos Vela didn't go with Mexico, he said it would be unfair to a player that helped qualify since he never went. Fuck the FA and Hodgson.

[bushman 2,043]

Personally, I would not say it was a poor decision to leave A. Cole out of England´s squad, but it was an idiotic one.

Cole has much needed experience at this level of football & certainly it will be needed in Brazil.

Nevertheless, it appears the decision was taken Cole has retired from playing for England & most likely he won´t sign for Chelsea.

Perhaps, we ought to thank Jose for all of it.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

He cemented his place for a long time and well 100+ caps for his country just shows how good he was. Its sad that he did not get picked but the youngsters need to get some chances now.

I can understand Hodgson's decision so not really angry here. Its just a shame English fans do not respect him because of his issues off the field. Ashely Cole is a LEGEND for both club and country and I thank him for his years of service at Chelsea.

[Jype 6,398]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/12/spare-me-the-classy-ashley-cole-comments-his-retirement-has-let-england-down-4724656/

Is this guy for real?

[Special Juan 27,421]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/12/spare-me-the-classy-ashley-cole-comments-his-retirement-has-let-england-down-4724656/

Is this guy for real?

That's a big head on that pint of bitter.