Ashley Cole Bio Send To Friend  

Few could term Ashley Cole as a popular player, yet his playing ability should not be in doubt. A tabloid lifestyle and the motivations over his move from Arsenal to Chelsea have made him a target for fans, even though he remains one of the best defenders in the game.

Cole had progressed from the Gunners youth ranks to become regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world. But his reputation was severely tarnished in January 2005 when tabloid newspapers revealed he had met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Jose Mourinho to, allegedly at least, discuss a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Cole, Chelsea and Mourinho were all fined by the Football Association for their part in the sordid tale.

Cole, who made his professional debut in a loan spell at Crystal Palace, has class, poise and a great eye for attacking options and is a calm, effective defender.

An injury to Brazilian left-back Silvinho during the 2000-01 season gave Cole the opportunity of an extended run in Arsene Wenger's first team and the youngster did not fail his manager.

His excellent performances caught the eye of England manager Sven Goran Eriksson who included Cole in his first England squad in February 2001. And Cole made his England debut in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania in March 2001, before he made an impact on the World Cup in 2002, starting all of England's games.

As well as winning the double in 2001-02, he helped Arsenal regain their Premiership crown in a season where they didn't lose a single Premiership match in 2004-05 and slowly established himself as the best left-sided defender in the league.

Cole suffered off the pitch when he sued both the News of the World and The Sun over insinuations over his sexuality - despite the fact he was due to marry Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy.

But he was made more unpopular over his motivations to move on from Arsenal in 2006. If football fans had not been offended by Cole's conduct in meeting with Chelsea his autobiography made them physically sick. He moaned about being offered 'only' £55,000-a-week, and about the lack of respect from Arsenal fans despite the fact he had actively looked to engineer a move to a rival club.

The 'will he, won't he' speculation over his future during much of 2005 and 2006 alienated most fans, though the Arsenal faithful were placated by the fact they got William Gallas in exchange plus £5m.

Chelsea were happy with the deal though and he immediately slotted in alongside the likes of England regulars John Terry and Frank Lampard. Cole suffered with injuries at the start of his Blues career, but picked up an FA Cup win in his first season, but controversy soon followed him.

He was dragged through the press for his reaction to a yellow card - when he turned his back on referee Mike Riley and shouted abuse - but was then subject to off pitch attention as he was accused of cheating on his wife with a hairdresser in January 2008 and was then arrested for swearing in front of a police officer outside a Central London nightclub in March 2009.

On the pitch, however, 2008-09 proved to be his most successful and consistent campaign as he was praised for his contribution to Chelsea's season, which ended with him becoming the first player since the 1890s to win the FA Cup five times.

Despite his colourful persona, he remains the best-left back in the country and is one of the first names on the teamsheet for England manager Fabio Capello.