Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Corridor of Fame.
The previous England worldwide, broadly considered the most effective left-back in Premier League historical past, received three trophies throughout his 15-year Premier League profession.
Cole, the twenty second inductee into the Corridor of Fame, was a part of the well-known Invincibles Arsenal aspect that received the title within the 2003/04 season and stays the one workforce in league historical past to go unbeaten for a whole season.
Having come via Arsenal’s academy, Cole signed for Chelsea in 2006 and received a 3rd Premier League title in 2009/10 as Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect scored a then-record 103 targets.
Cole stated: “I’m honored to be inducted into the Premier League Corridor of Fame. It’s humbling and satisfying to be rewarded on the finish of your profession.”
“I’ve gone via my profession simply making an attempt to do my finest and be ok. You are taking it day-to-day, sport by sport. As a younger child, you by no means dream of any of this and also you simply do it for the love of the workforce.” soccer sport.
“I’ve performed for some nice golf equipment with nice followers. Profitable titles with my boyhood golf equipment Arsenal and Chelsea are nice recollections that may at all times be with me.”
“It is an emotional factor to consider as a result of a number of onerous work has gone into it. To hitch the Corridor of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I am honored to be of their firm.”
Cole completed his Premier League profession with a win price of 62%, holding 147 clear sheets in 387 appearances. The total-back additionally scored 15 targets and supplied 31 assists.
Premier League chief govt Richard Masters stated: “In the event you ask individuals who is the most effective full-back within the historical past of the Premier League, many will select Ashley Cole. He excelled for title-winning sides Arsenal and Chelsea and helped redefine the place along with his defensive and attacking qualities.
He added: “Having shone at Arsenal as a teen, he’ll at all times be remembered as a part of the well-known ‘Invincibles’ workforce, whose achievements stay unsurpassed to this present day.”
“He has continued his successful methods at Chelsea, forming a key a part of the most effective groups now we have ever seen, and we’re delighted to welcome him as the most recent inductee into the Premier League Corridor of Fame.”
The stats behind Cole’s outstanding Premier League profession
- Ashley Cole made 385 Premier League appearances between 2000 and 2014, successful three Premier League titles – two with Arsenal (2001/02, 2003/04) and one with Chelsea (2009/10).
- He has been immediately concerned in 46 targets from the left-back – solely two defenders have registered extra targets and assists over the identical time interval, whereas solely Leighton Baines has created extra targets.
- Solely three defenders recorded greater than Cole’s 147 clear sheets (John Terry, Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand) between his first and final appearances, whereas this was probably the most of any full-back on the time.
- Throughout his time at Chelsea between 2006/07 and 2013/14, Cole ranked within the prime 5 for possibilities created (total and in open play) and profitable tackles and passes (total and within the opposition half) amongst Premier League defenders.