Tweet
Ashley Cole, the man everyone loves to hate. The boo boy of Arsenal fans and England fans in general. The best left back in Europe, as any Chelsea fan will tell you.
Delivering a kick up the arse…
A few days ago, UEFA released their 2010 Team of the Year. Our own Mr. Cole was the only England player and the only player in the entire Premier League to win a spot on the team. The Team of the Year is actually chosen by users on the UEFA site, so I’m pretty surprised and rather pleased that football fans can put whatever bad feelings they have about Cole personally aside and, perhaps begrudgingly, recognize his ability as a left-back.
For years, we’ve watched and praised Cole for his consistency and enthusiasm to join in the attack without sacrificing his defensive duties. We all of course remember the sumptuous long ball from JT to Cole last season against Sunderland, beautifully brought down by Cole, moved to his other foot away from the defender, and fantastically finished with the outside of his boot. He plays through the boo’s from opposition fans, and the derision only seems to make him work harder. He may have his few off days and make mistakes, but I can’t recall him every having a truly awful match for the Blues (okay, there was that back pass to Petr Cech a couple months ago against Sunderland, but we were lost at that point anyway). His ability and link-up with an in-form Malouda is part of what has made our left side so dangerous and thus made other teams so aware and eager to make us work down the right and become completely disoriented instead.
The UEFA poll is supposed to take into account both the European and international competitions, another interesting factor considering we were knocked out of the Champions League early and England had a pretty woeful World Cup. It just goes to show how many England players emerged with their reputations damaged after South Africa that Cole, so derided by England fans, is also up for the England Player of the Year prize on the FA website. (Hey, I thought Super Frank came out of that relatively unscathed as well, but people still refuse to give him any recognition…)
Maybe the recognition is a step in the right direction to finally keeping the boo boys quiet…
Some Related Chelsea Posts:Photo of the Day: Ashley Cole back in trainingSay it ain’t so: Cheryl Cole files for divorce from AshleyCould the nightmare be real? Ashley Cole to Real Madrid close, says CasillasVisual: The boys are back …Poll: Should Joe Cole go to the World Cup?
Category: Player News
Tags: Ashley Cole, Player NewsTweet « Video: King Carlo gets the boot from an old lady | Home | DevinSomeday down the road people will come to their senses and realize he's a living legend. Can't think of another left back in the modern era that is as menacing going forward as he is in the tackle. True Blue.VanBlueHe has been getting a solid rep for years now
I mean, where exactly are some of you all living?captainmarveljtI'm so pleased that he's getting the recognition that he deserves. When he first arrived and was playing under Mourinho, he was finding it very hard to rediscover the form he had at Arsenal. TBH he wasn't very good for a while and I thought we made a big mistake in signing him and letting Gallas go (remember, we had neither Alex nor Bran at that time). But the last 2-3 years he's been stunning. Outstanding at both defending and going forward.
LEGEND!arn00bCole, eh? Yet Rooney was the PFA player of the year last year and Giggs the year before that. And this year, irrespective of performances and results, I think the PFA player of the year's name will rhyme with -atov or -ani. (no, not Benjani)
I'm glad that Ashley Cole won. He really is the best left back in the world, no doubt. It's unfortunate that when it comes to the local awards, he doesn't even make it into the PFA team of the year anymore, despite stellar performances. SAF's back three are better supposedly.JamieI still can't believe Evra made it into the PFA Team of the Year over Ash last season.arn00bI'm still fuming over Rooney as player of the year, and Giggs who showed up to half the games that season. VdS as goalkeeper of the year last year. Even Fletcher made the list!
In 2007, the team of the year was everyone from Manchester United, + Drogba, Gerrard and Berbatov.
This year, the team of the year will be: Vidic, VdS, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Berbatov... plus a few from other teams just enough to make it look like there's no favoritism towards Sir SAF (not a typo, that's how it's going to be soon.)
Sprinkle in a few other players here and there. Maybe that Welsh one. Hopefully they'll chose the right Welsh one this time.
Preye Georgegood for him that shows, he's appreciatedSusanBest leftback in the WORLD! There may be a few others as good going forward but no one else has both the attacking AND defensive quality that our Ash has!
Please go vote for Ash, we can't let Stevie Me win an award for such a crap WC performance can we? I am begging!!blog comments powered by Disqus
Follow Us
Russia and Qatar (!) To host World Cups Gary Lineker's World Cup Accident England vs France liveblog! more news... 
Search The Offside
Related LinksChelsea TicketsChelsea FC KitsChelsea FC BettingHotels near Stamford BridgeChampions League Travel to LondonPremier League Fantasy GameMore Chelsea Links
Categories Academy NewsAnalysisAwardsBlogrollBlues on International DutyCaption ThisCarling CupChelsea GoalsChelsea LadiesChelsea LoansChelsea ReservesChelsea Team NewsCoaching NewseBay WatchFantasy LeagueFixturesFlashbackFor The ArchivesFormer PlayersGalleryGlory GoalsHumorInjury NewsKitsLiveMan of the MatchMatch PreviewsMatch ReportsOpinionPapersPlayer NewsPlayer RatingsPollPredictionsQuotesRandomnessRankingsRant BoxStatisticsTacticsThe OwnerTransfer NewsTransfer RumorsVideoVideo BlogWho This?Youth News
Send Your Tips! Found a great story, photo or video that's perfect for The Offside?
Email chelsea[at]theoffside[dot]com
Archives Select Archive Month January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006
About The Offside | Advertise on The Offside | Privacy Policy
Top Content: England Team News | Neymar to Chelsea | Record Points for Chelsea | Chelsea Preseason | Chelsea 2011 Home Jersey | Premier League Fantasy Game
Related information: EPL Shirts | England Shirts | Arsenal News | Liverpool News | Man United News | London Travel Guide | Finding a London Hotel | Champions League Prize Money
© BootsnAll Travel Network - All rights reserved
EuropeEngland: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League One England: League Two FranceGermanyGreeceHollandItalyPolandPortugalRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyAfricaEgyptTunisiaAustraliaSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilColombia North AmericaMexicoMLSNPSLUSLWomen's SoccerCup CompetitionsChampions LeagueEuropa LeagueCopa LibertadoresCopa SudamericanaPlayersDidier DrogbaLionel MessiMesut OzilArjen RobbenCristiano RonaldoLigue 1 ProspectsSoccer Betting | World Cup 2010
Plan Your Soccer Travels | Soccer TicketsClose X
Home 
World 
Europe English Premier League 
Chelsea 
StoreTravelScores 
England: PremiershipEngland: ChampionshipEngland: League OneEngland: League TwoEngland: ConferenceFranceGermanyGreeceHollandItaly PolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaScotlandSpainTurkeyUkraineChampions League | Europa LeagueClose X
No comments:
Post a Comment