Ashley Cole

[Styles 9,790]

In my honest opinion i think we should preserve cole for the big games only from now on.

And have you noticed in the big games - when Ashley tends to play brilliantly - he's asked to defend and nothing else?

Ashley is a quality defender. When he needs to defend he almost always comes through. But ask him to cross, or link up with his winger and you notice why he struggles.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Great game today from Mr. Cole. the mid week rest did im the world of good.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Any updates on Ash's injury yet? I hope he's aright as we need him.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Any updates on Ash's injury yet? I hope he's aright as we need him.

Jose said that he did not know about the injury when he took him off, so he did not ask to be subbed off which probably means it's not as bad as we thought.

On the game, he was good in the second half, but in the first he got caught out so many times by the ball over his head.

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea's Ashley Cole faces scan on rib injury suffered at Norwich

[The Skipper 20,609]

Not too worried about his injury because I do believe Bertrand can fill in easily.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Not too worried about his injury because I do believe Bertrand can fill in easily.

besides, Cole isn't getting any younger. Either we start playing Bertrand or we need to find a fit replacement.

Fullbacks can't really go much further than 32 I'm afraid; they just rely too much on pace.

[zolayes 14,489]

Jose said that he did not know about the injury when he took him off, so he did not ask to be subbed off which probably means it's not as bad as we thought.

On the game, he was good in the second half, but in the first he got caught out so many times by the ball over his head.

so not only is Jose a tactical genius but now he is psychic as well ...and to think Bushman called him clueless

[Styles 9,790]

Not too worried about his injury because I do believe Bertrand can fill in easily.

Just Bertrand's luck that when there seems to be an opening for him there's an international break.

Not surprised to see Ashley go off again today; Mourinho said he made the decision to take off Cole not knowing he was injured at the time. He did the same when chasing a result at Goodison. Ashley is our most expendable player when chasing a result - and/or we go with a back 3 - considering Ivanovic isn't exactly Cafu going forward that says an awful lot about Ashley's offensive contribution.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/07/ashley-cole-england-world-cup-qualifier?CMP=twt_gu

Cole ruled out of English's WCQ against Montenegro this Friday.

No other extra information mentioned in there.

Anyway, even if he's back available for the Cardiff game, I'm just hoping Mourinho rest him and play Bertrand instead against them. No need to flog Cole (and some others actually) to death by playing him in almost every game when there is a dependable back-up player available.

[Styles 9,790]

Might sound controversial (it shouldn't really) but Baines should have been first choice LB now whether or not Ashley is available. It's funny how England talk about having quality, technical football players etc but haven't gone with Baines sooner. Ashley is a great defender, but Baines isn't bad himself then there's his ability in open-play, freekicks and set-pieces. Baines is clearly the better player, it's not even close now in my honest opinion.

[happy_juan 64]

Might sound controversial (it shouldn't really) but Baines should have been first choice LB now whether or not Ashley is available. It's funny how England talk about having quality, technical football players etc but haven't gone with Baines sooner. Ashley is a great defender, but Baines isn't bad himself then there's his ability in open-play, freekicks and set-pieces. Baines is clearly the better player, it's not even close now in my honest opinion.

Considering the first job of a left back is to defend, baines is not even close to displacing Cole.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Fullbacks can't really go much further than 32 I'm afraid; they just rely too much on pace.

Maldini would say lol

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Maldini would say lol

Zanetti would say LMAO

[robsblubot 3,595]

Maldini would say lol

Zanetti would say LMAO

touche

though it's the same as citing Franco Baresi to make a point CB's don't have to be tall...