Ashley Cole Named As The Perfect Player From England 'Golden Generation' To Play At 2022 World Cup
Ashley Cole has been named as the player from England's 'Golden Generation' who fans would love to see at the 2022 World Cup later this year.
SPORTbible posed the hypothetical question on Twitter, posting a picture of England's Euro 2004 team.
Legends like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and John Terry were all in the side managed by Sven Goran-Eriksson.
You can pick ONE player from this team to play for England in the Qatar World Cup this year...
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 6, 2022
Who are you picking? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eVcG6Kl1ew
But there was a whole lot of love showed to former Arsenal and Chelsea man Cole, who was capped 107 times and played at three different World Cups.
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Cole got so many mentions that his name ending up trending on Twitter. And a big reason why many fans selected him in this current set-up is due to Gareth Southgate often utilising right-backs at left-back.
As much as I would love to say Lampard.
— Kris (@KrisUpTheChels) June 6, 2022
The best LB of all time would work wonders in this current England team 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/rAG8f2Q8nH
Ashley Cole all day, every other position we are just as strong
— Alex Gould (@AlexGould2010) June 6, 2022
The correct answer is Ashley Cole.
— Nick Causer (@nickcauser92) June 6, 2022
I’m picking Ashley Cole without any hesitation
— RG (@TheGoatStan1) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole..we literally don't have any left backs https://t.co/X6vnmVQk2S
— Mr Triangle (@JosephLeadley) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole all day https://t.co/loD4HkLH0m
— nickkkkkkk (@Nickbryan94) June 6, 2022
Rooney and Cole were the only truly world class players here.
— Steven Duckworth (@SP_Duckworth) June 6, 2022
Would go Cole. https://t.co/SPNi1b6LGf
Ashley Cole! https://t.co/DOsycGm7fE
— Hamza C 🤨 (@TMC_V2) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole.@sturae229 @dabmcr ? https://t.co/VCagZ551AE
— Jake Thompson (@JakeThompson_95) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole https://t.co/XboVaPjnkH
— Ben Dettmar (@OlympicsProf) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole or John Terry. https://t.co/t564yG8MXz
— Wilson (@Wilsonwpfc) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole. https://t.co/CWXITAjvJw
— S7 (@S7abdi) June 6, 2022
Need a LB so Ashley Cole. https://t.co/Fyo3aaRoVG
— Lewb #GSBOUT (@LewThePooWHU) June 6, 2022
Ashley Cole https://t.co/K6639Elkpe
— Jake Vincent (@JakeVincent37) June 6, 2022
At Euro 2004, Cole, seen as one of the best left-backs of all-time, dropped a masterclass in the quarter-final against Portugal and kept Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in 120 minutes of action.
🏴 Ashley Cole's masterclass at EURO 2004 against Portugal 🤯
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) May 24, 2021
📋 Which defenders would be in your all-time England XI?@England | @TheRealAC3 pic.twitter.com/eblJkxygyn
England were knocked out on penalties following a 2-2 draw but Cole genuinely produced one of the greatest defensive displays ever seen on such a big stage.
His highlights from the game are incredible and the way in which he nullified Ronaldo led to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner hailing Cole as his toughest opponent.
"Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe," Ronaldo said in an interview with Coach Magazine.
"He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."
In a separate game between Chelsea and United, Cole told Ronaldo he had him in his pocket after committing a strong but fair challenge.
The Three Lions' most-capped full-back is now part of Frank Lampard's coaching staff at Everton, having worked in the Chelsea academy and helped Lee Carsley with England Under 21's.
Topics: Ashley Cole, England, Football World Cup
Josh Lawless