Ashley Cole becomes the 22nd player inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame… as the Arsenal Invincible and former Chelsea star hails it ‘humbling and fulfilling’

Ashley Cole becomes the 22nd player inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame… as the Arsenal Invincible and former Chelsea star hails it ‘humbling and fulfilling’

  • Ashley Cole won three Premier League titles in his glittering 15-season career
  • Ex-defender was part of the historic Gunners team that went a season unbeaten 
  • England’s Euro 2004 team was incredible on paper but they didn’t win. Can this crop do it this summer? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in recognition of his glittering career in the English top-flight. 

The left-back won three league titles during 15 seasons and is widely considered to be the best player to play the position in Premier League history. 

Cole was part of the historic Gunners team that went the entirety of the 2004-05 campaign unbeaten, his second league crown, before winning a further title in west London with the Blues in 2009-10.

He joins fellow Arsenal Invincibles Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry in the Hall of Fame. As well as ex-Chelsea stars Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

‘I’m honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame.’ Cole said. ‘It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career.

Legendary full-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

Cole (third from left) was an integral part of the Arsenal team that went the duration of the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten

Cole (third from left) was an integral part of the Arsenal team that went the duration of the 2003-04 Premier League season unbeaten

He lifted the third of three Premier League crowns with Chelsea in 2009-10 under Carlo Ancelotti

He lifted the third of three Premier League crowns with Chelsea in 2009-10 under Carlo Ancelotti

‘I went through my career just trying to give my best and be good enough. You take it day-by-day and game-by-game. As a young kid, you never dream of any of this and you just do it for the love of the game of football.

‘I played for some fantastic clubs with incredible fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are amazing memories that will always be with me.

‘It’s emotional to reflect because a lot of hard work has been put in. To join the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I’m privileged to be in their company.’

Cole is the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and the first of 2024. The award is the highest individual honour given by the league, recognising individuals who have an exceptional record of success and who have made a significant contribution in the competition.

Alongside his hat-trick of Premier League crowns, he made 385 appearances and won 62 per cent of the matches he played in. He contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals and made 31 assists, underlining his ability at both ends of the pitch.

The 43-year-old broke through at his boyhood club Arsenal under the tutorship of Arsene Wenger and his first Premier League title came in the Double-winning 2001-02 season. 

He repeated the feat eight years later in Carlo Ancelotti’s free-scoring Chelsea side. 

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters lauded Cole’s accomplishments and credited the defender with redefining the position. 

Cole has become the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and joins a host of his former team-mates

Cole has become the 22nd inductee into the Hall of Fame and joins a host of his former team-mates

‘If you ask people for the best full-back in Premier League history, many of them would name Ashley Cole.’ Masters said. ‘He excelled for title-winning Arsenal and Chelsea sides and helped to redefine the position thanks to his defensive and attacking qualities.

‘After breaking through as a youngster at Arsenal, he will always be remembered as part of the iconic ‘Invincibles’ team, whose achievements remain unprecedented to this day.

‘He continued his winning ways at Chelsea, forming a key part of one of the highest-scoring sides we have ever seen, and we are delighted to welcome him as the latest inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame.’




Source From: Football | Mail Online

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