Ashley Cole (Part 2)

uPh5...cSoq

7 Apr 2024

Ashley Cole (Part 2)

After joining LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, Ashley Cole made his debut for the club on February 24, 2016, in a goalless draw against Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League. He then made his league debut on March 6, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4–1 win over D.C. United. Manager Bruce Arena praised Cole's performance alongside fellow veteran signing Nigel de Jong.
Cole's time at LA Galaxy was marked by both achievements and challenges. He received two red cards during the 2016 season, with the second one coming in a match against San Jose Earthquakes after a melee ensued following a reckless tackle. However, he also scored his first goal for the club on August 7, 2016, securing a last-minute equalizer in a 2–2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.

Despite Cole's contributions, LA Galaxy failed to advance past the Western Conference semi-finals in the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, losing to the Colorado Rapids on penalties. Cole publicly apologized to his former England teammate Steven Gerrard after his penalty attempt was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard.
In the following season, Cole saw another red card in a match against Columbus Crew SC for a foul on Pedro Santos. He played 29 matches for LA Galaxy, scoring once in a loss to Real Salt Lake, as the team finished last in the league and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Ahead of the 2018 season, Cole was named captain by head coach Sigi Schmid. However, LA Galaxy again failed to qualify for the playoffs, and Cole was released by the club at the end of the season in 2018.

Ashley Cole's international career spanned both youth and senior levels. He represented England at the youth level, playing for the U-20 team at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. However, the team struggled in the tournament, finishing bottom of their group without scoring any goals. Cole also made four appearances for the England U-21 team, scoring once.
His rapid progression saw him quickly transition to the England senior team under manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. Cole made his senior international debut against Albania on 28 March 2001. He went on to represent England at multiple FIFA World Cups, including the 2002, 2006, and 2010 editions, as well as UEFA Euro 2004 and UEFA Euro 2012.

Cole played a crucial role for England during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, making a vital block against Ecuador in the second round match. Despite England's victory in that match, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Portugal on penalties.
By the end of 2008, Cole had earned 68 caps for England, all as a starter. He surpassed John Barnes' record for the most caps by a black English international, reaching 79 caps by June 2010. Cole holds the record for the most international appearances by an outfield player without scoring a goal for England.
He reached a milestone of 100 caps for England on 6 February 2013, in a match against Brazil at Wembley Stadium. However, Cole announced his retirement from international football on 11 May 2014, after being left out of the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ashley Cole's playing style incorporates an attacking approach that supports his team's forward play, while also excelling defensively. He initially enjoyed scoring goals and attacking but grew to appreciate the role of defending, which became his pathway to the senior team. Before breaking into the Arsenal first team, he studied the conduct of fellow defender Nigel Winterburn and received pointers on positioning, which he incorporated into his game.
Cole modeled his playing style on Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos, aiming to emulate his natural talent through hard work and dedication. His former teammates and coaches praised his character, determination, and competence on the field. Arsène Wenger's belief in Cole's abilities contributed to his rapid progress at Arsenal, where his link-up play with teammates in an attacking style made him a formidable presence on the left flank.

Under José Mourinho at Chelsea, Cole's attacking instincts were somewhat restrained to focus more on defensive duties and marking. However, with the arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari, he was given more freedom to make forward runs, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. Cole is renowned for his timed goal-line clearances and ability to cut out danger, with several crucial interventions in important matches throughout his career.
Despite occasional criticisms of being a "dirty player," Cole and his coaches have strongly denied such claims, emphasizing his commitment to fair play and his defensive prowess. His performances, both defensively and offensively, have cemented his status as one of the greatest left-backs in the history of the sport.

Ashley Cole's personal life has been marked by both highs and controversies. He was in a high-profile relationship with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy, whom he married in 2006. However, their marriage faced turmoil due to allegations of infidelity, leading to a separation and eventual divorce in 2010.
Following his divorce from Cheryl, Cole started a family with Italian model Sharon Canu, with whom he has a son and a daughter. Despite his success on the field, Cole has also faced legal issues and controversies off the pitch.

In 2006, he sued newspapers for printing false allegations about his personal life, which were later retracted. Cole also faced criticism for writing an autobiography at a young age of 25.
Additionally, he had minor run-ins with the law, including an incident where he was fined for swearing in front of a police officer and another where he was convicted of speeding and subsequently fined and disqualified from driving.
One notable incident involved Cole accidentally shooting a sports science student with an air rifle during a training session at Chelsea's Cobham Training Centre. He apologized for the incident and discussed it with club officials. These incidents have somewhat marred Cole's reputation off the field, despite his achievements on it.