Ashley Cole

[The Mak 4,459]

Cole is not in the World Cup squad because he's just not good enough anymore, not because Mourinho didn't play him. Baines and Shaw have both been better than Cole for at least two seasons now and if even the vast majority of Chelsea fans rate both of those guys higher than Cole, then what the hell do you expect the England manager to do?

Offensively? Yes, definitely.

Defensively? No way. On the biggest stages like Ash? Not a chance in hell.

I've yet to come across another fan (United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle) who said he shouldn't go. In fact, a lot say its madness after what he showed against Atletico after being on the bench for so long.

Include Cole in the squad because he was good some years back, or take Baines who would have been first choice anyway and also Shaw who will get invaluable experience of going to a major international tournament which will help him a lot next time around when he will most likely be first choice for them?

Sorry, but shouldn't the point of having a back-up is that they be somewhat a reliable one? Again, Cole was on the bench for pretty much all of 2014 until called up against Atletico and he absolutely bossed it. The reason he was dropped was because it seemed as if he didn't care for the smaller games, a bit like Didier was from 2010-2012. But like Didier, he revels in the big games, so to have him as your number 2 in a World Cup is very reassuring indeed.

And how will sitting on a bench help Shaw exactly?! I suppose the 'atmosphere' will help him or something?!

[haranr 485]

According to those words you think it was Chelsea that do not want him?

Yes. It can be interpreted both ways.

[bushman 2,043]

Yes. It can be interpreted both ways.

Thank you.

[Jype 6,398]

Offensively? Yes, definitely.

Defensively? No way. On the biggest stages like Ash? Not a chance in hell.

Sorry, but shouldn't the point of having a back-up is that they be somewhat a reliable one? Cole was on the bench for pretty much all of 2014 until called up against Atletico and he absolutely bossed it. The reason he was dropped was because it seemed as if he didn't care for the smaller games, a bit like Didier was from 2010-2012. But like Didier, he revels in the big games, so to have him as your number 2 in a World Cup is very reassuring indeed.

And how will sitting on a bench help Shaw exactly?! I suppose the 'atmosphere' will help him or something?!

Well, I just think it's a bit funny that 99% on here would have taken Baines or Shaw at Chelsea ahead of Cole any day these past two seasons but now it's somehow the wrong decision to leave him out of the World Cup. Yes, he is a leader which is important in a tournament like the World Cup and yes, he can still be reliable when called upon but he rightly lost his place to Azpilicueta this season and having not played much I consider it more than understandable that he was left out. It's not Mourinho's fault for not playing him enough to make the World Cup squad because Jose's priorities lie with Chelsea, not England, and for Chelsea it was much better both for the present as well as for the future that Azpilicueta played as much as he did.

[Fulham Broadway 16,923]

He had a lot of time for the fans, and the thing that sticks in the mind is the CL final penalty. Certain he was going to miss !

Some highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0LamBfOyBc&list=FLSqyWWsKMLPzg2cKjd-Ei8A#t=6716

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwWNKU4Dv5M#t=23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwWNKU4Dv5M#t=23

[Viper22 2,418]

Offensively? Yes, definitely.

Defensively? No way. On the biggest stages like Ash? Not a chance in hell.

I've yet to come across another fan (United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle) who said he shouldn't go. In fact, a lot say its madness after what he showed against Atletico after being on the bench for so long.

Sorry, but shouldn't the point of having a back-up is that they be somewhat a reliable one? Again, Cole was on the bench for pretty much all of 2014 until called up against Atletico and he absolutely bossed it. The reason he was dropped was because it seemed as if he didn't care for the smaller games, a bit like Didier was from 2010-2012. But like Didier, he revels in the big games, so to have him as your number 2 in a World Cup is very reassuring indeed.

And how will sitting on a bench help Shaw exactly?! I suppose the 'atmosphere' will help him or something?!

Don't know if you meant fans of other teams there, but I don't think he should go. I think he's about as good as Shaw atm, Shaw is better going forwards and Cole better at defending (as you said), but seeing as Baines would start over either one of them, I think it'd be good experience for Shaw to go to the world cup, even if he sits on the bench.

The atmosphere will be one of phenomenal pressure, and i'd rather than he first became exposed to that without the pressure of having to play on top of that. He can get used to the system, and get used to the pressure. Taking him over Cole was always going to be the logical choice in my mind.

I understand your sentiment of wanting a reliable 2nd choice at a major tournament, but you've got to bring the kids through at some point, and it's hardly like we're going to the world cup to win it.

[bushman 2,043]

An 18 year old kid without any experience in the WC is not a very smart choice by Roy, I feel. Shaw is not ready for this major competition. Meanwhile, Cole has plenty of experience in these competitions.

[Special Juan 27,439]

His interview after the CL win will stay with me forever and a day.

:blue scalf:

[The only place to be 11,313]

Offensively? Yes, definitely.

Shaw has 1 assist this season, Cole has 2 in less than half the games.

I'd have taken Baines and Cole if I actually wanted to try to win the World Cup this year, but this decision is all about four years down the line....except we're taking Lamps as well.

Basically the FA are a bunch of cunts and rather than take the best players to help us win the World Cup (Terry and Cole) they're 'building for the future' by taking one 18 year old left back. Wankers, tossers, fuck-pots and shit-sticks the lot of them.

[Jype 6,398]

An 18 year old kid without any experience in the WC is not a very smart choice by Roy, I feel. Shaw is not ready for this major competition. Meanwhile, Cole has plenty of experience in these competitions.

He's not going to play unless Baines gets injured and England will hardly be going all the way at this World Cup in any case so why not give some valuable experience of being involved in a major tournament (training, preparation etc. plus of course the friendlies before the WC) to a guy who will be their first choice left-back for next 10-15 years?

Cole's selection in the squad would have been understandable but his omission even more so. If he had played as first-choice for us he would have at least had a chance of going but he deservedly lost his place to a player in much better form and could never take it back again so I can't really see why this is being made into such a big deal. If anything, I would question Hodgson's choices if he had taken someone on board based on their old merits and completely ignored who deserves to go based on their form this season.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I personally would've taken Shaw and Cole, Shaw as starter - giving him vital tournament experience and Cole as the reliable, more defensively sound back up.

[Jype 6,398]

Shaw has 1 assist this season, Cole has 2 in less than half the games.

I'd have taken Baines and Cole if I actually wanted to try to win the World Cup this year, but this decision is all about four years down the line....except we're taking Lamps as well.

Being good offensively is much more than having assists. If you watched Southampton you'd agree that Shaw has been good in the attacking end of the pitch whereas Cole has not really been bombing forward for a few years now. Even when Cole was better offensively in his prime he never got much assists because his crossing was shit even then, but it was all about the link-up between him and the attacking players in the team.

For Cole's place Hodgson had two great alternatives in Baines and Shaw but which younger player would you say should have been taken in Lampard's place if the plan was to integrate younger players in the team? Cleverley?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Being good offensively is much more than having assists. If you watched Southampton you'd agree that Shaw has been good in the attacking end of the pitch whereas Cole has not really been bombing forward for a few years now. Even when Cole was better offensively in his prime he never got much assists because his crossing was shit even then, but it was all about the link-up between him and the attacking players in the team.

For Cole's place Hodgson had two great alternatives in Baines and Shaw but which younger player would you say should have been taken in Lampard's place if the plan was to integrate younger players in the team? Cleverley?

I like Shaw going forward but he's not that much better than Ashley....YET. I have no problem with taking Lampard because I think he's the best choice for right now but that same logic should've applied to Cole as well.

It's muddled thinking as usual from The FA.

[DH1988 1,309]

Worrying that we are left with Betrand and Patrick.. both good going forward but Berty always seems to make a mistake.. Hopefully he's ironed that out, either that or we're going to buy someone.

I think Shaw is too young for Van Gaal to bring in first choice, honestly it leaves them so open down that side, not sure if people have watched him but defensively.. its not very good.

[bushman 2,043]

Shaw should have been involved with the 18 year old team to get more experience. Cole is definitely the better choice for the WC.

[Jype 6,398]

I like Shaw going forward but he's not that much better than Ashley....YET. I have no problem with taking Lampard because I think he's the best choice for right now but that same logic should've applied to Cole as well.

It's muddled thinking as usual from The FA.

Sure if you believe Cole to be the best option out of the three then fair enough, I got to respect that opinion even though I don't agree. For me, both Baines and Shaw have been showing much better form for a couple of years now and especially with Cole's performances at Chelsea leading to him being benched for a good six months or so while the other two were earning praise week-in week-out in the PL I considered Cole being left out a no-brainer.

Lampard is included because he is no doubt the best choice for his position and unlike with Cole's situation that isn't even up for debate. His club form hasn't exactly been too good either but if he's up against Cleverley for the place in the team then it's really much easier to call him up than getting Cole who was competing with two of the best left-backs in the league. I think James Ward-Prowse might have been a good shout if the plan was to take a youngster in midfield like Hodgson did with Shaw in defense, but maybe this summer is a little too early for JWP.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Petr Cech @PetrCech

Want to pay tribute to @TheRealAC3 - absolute legend & one of the best ever left backs.

[The_Flash 1,144]

It's a real shame I would have liked him to stay but I'm not that surprised that he hasn't been offered a contract. It really is a shame I liked him and thought he was a great player, ah well don't know what to say