Ashley Cole

[Styles 9,790]

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

Baines is a more than adequate defender; sure Ashley is a better defender, but the drop-off in quality isn't anywhere close to what you imagine to be.

There is however a massive difference in what they offer going forward and Baines is FAR superior, so much that it's not even close.

Simply put: Ashley is the better defender but Baines is the better footballer. Now you decide who would be more useful to England/Chelsea?

[happy_juan 64]

Baines is a more than adequate defender; sure Ashley is a better defender, but the drop-off in quality isn't anywhere close to what you imagine to be.

There is however a massive difference in what they offer going forward and Baines is FAR superior, so much that it's not even close.

Simply put: Ashley is the better defender but Baines is the better footballer. Now you decide who would be more useful to England/Chelsea?

"Baines is a better footballer" OK then, I am out

[Stats 7,142]

"Baines is a better footballer" OK then, I am out

Look, Cole is a better defender but not a superior defender as Baines is not a weak link in defence. He just loves going forward but is superiority going forward outweighs Cole's better defensive ability. As a fullback it is good to defend but in the game nowadays the fullbacks get forward much more and it is an added bonus. England would be much more of a threat with Baines in the team. I cannot even recall that much games where I would say Baines was a weak link in defence. Cole was the best LB in the prem if not the world but now I reckon it is time that he gets replaced by both club and country imho.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Thing with Cole is he is a super defender but he is an absolute terrible crosser of a ball and really offers little going forward.

Baines is a more rounded individual who ticks every box possible really. His stamina and work ethic is brilliant.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Thing with Cole is he is a super defender but he is an absolute terrible crosser of a ball and really offers little going forward.

Baines is a more rounded individual who ticks every box possible really. His stamina and work ethic is brilliant.

Baines is an excellent LB who is currently probably better than Cole, but he's been grossly overrated by the media; he is no where near world-class like Cole was up till 2010.

[Special Juan 28,133]

Baines is an excellent LB who is currently probably better than Cole, but he's been grossly overrated by the media; he is no where near world-class like Cole was up till 2010.

He isn't world class that is for sure but he is a brilliant LB. His game is so rounded it's hard to find a fault in it really.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He isn't world class that is for sure but he is a brilliant LB. His game is so rounded it's hard to find a fault in it really.

Plenty of defensive faults that get overlooked. Just go watch their game against Cardiff this season where Bellamy made a fool of him all game. Yet, he still got MOTM even though he was probably one of Everton's worst men on the pitch. That's what I mean by grossly overrated by the media.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

I hope he'll be fit in two week's time, he was needing a bit of a rest anyway.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3491470/title/cole-out-of-england-qualifier

Cole to miss England v Poland game. Still suffering from that rib injury.

[Special Juan 28,133]

He will be fine at the weekend.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Shame Ash couldn't travel with the squad, hopefully he'll be fit for our next game.

[Milan 17,955]

:lol: :lol:

[The_Flash 1,144]

:lol: :lol:

That is funny, is Ashley fit yet?

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

His absence once again highlights his importance. Bertrand as our cover for LB is not remotedly as good as a Azpilicueta/Ivanovic back up one the other side. I am a big fan of Bert's, I like his pace, his robustness, his tenacity so I am perfectly fine with him playing against weaker oppositions (he should have played vs Schalke tbh) but he is not remotedly as clever as Cole, his offensive and defensive movement is often very predictable and against quality oppositions he will always struggle. So playing him vs City is a bit of a risk. Anyway he will probably be up against Jesus Navas, who also has not much more than pace. Hence I'd risk it.

[James 5,287]

COLE AND BERTRAND ON CHELSEA TV TONIGHT

It is a left-back special on Friday Night Live this week with Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand appearing live in the Chelsea TV studio.

During the show, which will also look ahead to Sunday's big game against Manchester City, our two England full-backs will be answering questions from fans.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3509758/title/cole-and-bertrand-on-chelsea-tv-tonight?