02 09 2006 Ashley Cole finally signs
At last we have a decent left back! We have been lacking in this position since the days of Tony Dorigo and more
recently Graeme Le Saux.
I like Ashley Cole as a player - he is quick, defends well and is capable of scoring the odd goal.
I feel very sorry for Wayne Bridge who I believe is a very good player - but he is not in the same league as Cole.
Perhaps Jose will try to combine them on the left at various stages. My guess is Newcastle will buy him off us this Winter.
Gallas going the other way to Arsenal to be with his French bumchums has been a bitter pill to swallow. He is one of the
best defenders we have ever had at Chelsea. Unfortunately, as seems to be the case with most French footballers, he
felt he was bigger than the club itself. Striking when Chelsea did not offer him the contract he wanted is inexcusable.
And complaining that he was given a role out of position last season shows that he is not a team player. For me, it puts
him on a par with players like Anelka and Van Hooijdonk. Good luck to him - Arsenal will be very lucky to win anything
over the next couple of years. I certainly won't be applauding him when we play against the team which he alleges has
"the best fans" next.
My only worry is that I am not entirely convinced by Carvalho. He can have an excellent game and then make that one
mistake which can cost us a goal. He was already lucky to get away with two shirt pulls this season that could have cost
us penalties. He played Boro onside for their equaliser. Last year he gave away a free kick on the edge of the box to
Barca which lead to them scoring at the Bridge. Perversely, his concentration levels may improve now that Gallas has
left and he has more confidence that he will start every game.
The only problem with Cole is his attitude - he certainly does not come across well in the media. Perhaps now that his
move has been finalised he can lay his worries to rest.