Ashley Cole retires

[robbied1]

Nah.

 

[Slow joe]

Ashley Cole revolutionised the full back role. He's the same age as me and I also played left back and as an 18yr old I used to watch him in awe at how he got up field to support and back to defend. Prior to him left backs played left back, right backs played right back. Once he came along the wing back position became popular and the full back position died. How many full backs can't attack these days ? Hardly any if any. He's one of the best English players ever and probably the best in my lifetime, a genuine world class talent and a hero of mine.

 

[dangermows]

I'd take Pearce over him all day

Mental.

 

[Effrafax]

Ashley Cole revolutionised the full back role. He's the same age as me and I also played left back and as an 18yr old I used to watch him in awe at how he got up field to support and back to defend. Prior to him left backs played left back, right backs played right back. Once he came along the wing back position became popular and the full back position died. How many full backs can't attack these days ? Hardly any if any. He's one of the best English players ever and probably the best in my lifetime, a genuine world class talent and a hero of mine.

But unfortunately an utter bellend

 

[McGregor]

Roberto Carlos, Zambrotta

Ashley Cole in his prime was 2006 Chelsea onwards imo. Roberto Carlos career was coming to and end. So I'd have to agree by saying he's the best left back in the world when he was at his prime.. There was no better.

 

[Slow joe]

But unfortunately an utter bellend

He has done the odd bellendish thing I agree but haven't we all, he's just done his in the limelight. I think he comes across as a pretty decent bloke to be honest, I think I'd have a good night out and a laugh with him.

 

[TheBalkan]

Ashley Cole revolutionised the full back role. He's the same age as me and I also played left back and as an 18yr old I used to watch him in awe at how he got up field to support and back to defend. Prior to him left backs played left back, right backs played right back. Once he came along the wing back position became popular and the full back position died. How many full backs can't attack these days ? Hardly any if any. He's one of the best English players ever and probably the best in my lifetime, a genuine world class talent and a hero of mine.

This will come as a shock to Cafu and Carlos who were Brazil's fullbacks at the time. Or contemporaries like Lizarazu, Zanetti or Frank De Boer. Hell, the 1970 world cup ends with Carlos Alberto steaming up the right to get onto a Pele through ball to score before lifting the trophy as captain.

 

[Lionel Hutzz]

Cole is up there with the best ever lb. Superb player as if people are disputing how good he was

 

[Mowgli]

Roberto Carlos, Zambrotta

Totally different years. Cole in 11-13 was tremendous.

Them two were by far past their best then

 

[Slow joe]

This will come as a shock to Cafu and Carlos who were Brazil's fullbacks at the time. Or contemporaries like Lizarazu, Zanetti or Frank De Boer. Hell, the 1970 world cup ends with Carlos Alberto steaming up the right to get onto a Pele through ball to score before lifting the trophy as captain.

All full backs.

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Mental.

90/91 season Pearce scored 16 goals from left back. He was excellent

 

[CheersMarra84]

It was out of Cole and Lahm for best Left Back at the time, nobody could touch those two.

 

[dangermows]

90/91 season Pearce scored 16 goals from left back. He was excellent

I liked him, proper blood and thunder, and hard as nails. Could put his foot through a ball as well. He certainly wasn't as good a full back as Cole though.

 

[woodlebert]

What were his key attributes?

 

[Two million voices]

I'd take Pearce over him all day

 

[PTR]

Cracking player, but there's always been a rabbit away with the fella.

 

[deleted user 785]

Whilst Stuart Pearce was a very good player he wasnt in the same class as Ashley Cole.

 

[CherryHenry]

Ashley Cole revolutionised the full back role. He's the same age as me and I also played left back and as an 18yr old I used to watch him in awe at how he got up field to support and back to defend. Prior to him left backs played left back, right backs played right back. Once he came along the wing back position became popular and the full back position died. How many full backs can't attack these days ? Hardly any if any. He's one of the best English players ever and probably the best in my lifetime, a genuine world class talent and a hero of mine.

He started his career at Arsenal boys as a left winger - that's what made him so good going forward. Wenger saw something in him and tried him at left back. I loved him as a player. It hurt when he left us. No doubt about it he was world class. In today's market he'd be worth 100m at least.

 

[naughtynose]

Absolute dickhead of a man but without doubt one of the best left backs ever.

England's only real genuine world class player from his period

 

[BucketBiff]

90/91 season Pearce scored 16 goals from left back. He was excellent

Tbf he took free kicks and pens. Don’t get me wrong it’s still an amazing goals total for a FB. Cole was a world class left back. Can’t really say the same for Pearce. He was excellent, but not in the same league as Cole.