Latest news with #AshleyCole
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Roy Keane is not having Thierry Henry's 'greatest ever' shout for one position
Manchester United and Republic of Ireland icon Roy Keane has dismissed Thierry Henry's praise for ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole as being the best left-back he's witnessed. The Englishman carved out an illustrious tenure in north London starting from 1999, swiftly becoming a stalwart under Arsene Wenger and clinching two Premier League titles, alongside three FA Cups, contributing significantly to Arsenal's memorable 2003/04 Invincibles season. Despite Cole's over 200 appearances for the Gunners, his legacy was tinged by his contentious transfer to Chelsea in 2006, leading Henry to lament the lack of recognition for Cole as one of European soccer's supreme left-backs, with Keane offering a contrary viewpoint. "There is a guy that I want to talk about, who I don't understand why in this country he doesn't get his respect: Ashley Cole," Henry expressed on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast. "Ashley Cole was outstanding. Firstly, in 2000, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger. "When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team at Arsenal. He started everything. "For me, Ashley Cole is the best left-back I have ever seen. Me. I'm not talking about everybody. Ashley Cole... going forward, defending, the desire, what he won and why he won it." Henry, who shared the pitch with Cole 195 times at Arsenal, was met with a differing opinion from Keane, who remarked: "I think he was a brilliant player, but when you talk about great left-backs, he doesn't spring to my mind. Of course, he was a brilliant player." In response to Keane, Henry defended Cole's legacy, particularly in light of his contentious transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea, asserting: "Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man. "His whole family supports Arsenal. But I can understand why he left at the time. In 2005, David Dein shook hands on a deal, but he came back with something else. "With Ashley moving to Chelsea, people don't give him the respect he deserves for everything that he has done. But for me, Cole was outstanding." Dein, the former vice-chairman of Arsenal, had many triumphs during his tenure but has confessed that one of his greatest regrets was allowing Cole to leave, a decision that still resonates years after his 2007 departure from the club. Cole was presented with a substantial salary increase by the Stamford Bridge bosses, leading to an eight-year tenure filled with success. His trophy haul with the Blues includes a league title, a Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield and four FA Cups. He's often mentioned in discussions about the greatest left-backs of all time, alongside soccer legends such as Roberto Carlos, Marcelo and Paolo Maldini.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Roy Keane is not having Thierry Henry's opinion on the 'best ever' in position
Thierry Henry has dubbed former Arsenal team-mate Ashley Cole the best left-back he's ever seen, but Manchester United icon Roy Keane disagrees with that sentiment Manchester United legend Roy Keane scoffed at Thierry Henry's claim that former Arsenal and Chelsea man Ashley Cole is the best left-back he has seen. Henry insisted that the ex-England defender doesn't get the credit he deserves on the back of his unceremonious move to Stamford Bridge. Hale End graduate Cole began his Gunners career in 1999 when he made his full debut, and would go on to establish himself under Arsene Wenger as one of the Premier League's finest full-backs. The Englishman won two league titles in north London as well as three FA Cup trophies, and was pivotal in the club's famous 2003/04 Invincibles campaign. While Cole, who played over 200 times for Arsenal, saw his Gunners legacy somewhat tarnished in 2006 when he joined bitter rivals Chelsea in an acrimonious switch, Henry believes he still doesn't get the recognition he deserves as one of English football's finest ever left-backs. Though Red Devils legend Keane slightly disagrees. "There is a guy that I want to talk about, who I don't understand why in this country he doesn't get his respect: Ashley Cole," Henry stated on the Stick to Football podcast. "Ashley Cole was outstanding. "Firstly, in 2000, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger. When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team at Arsenal. He started everything. "For me, Ashley Cole is the best left-back I have ever seen. Me. I'm not talking about everybody. Ashley Cole… Going forward, defending, the desire, what he won and why he won it." While Henry sang the praises of his former team-mate, who he played alongside a staggering 195 times in the red of Arsenal, Keane then chimed in. "I think he was a brilliant player, but when you talk about great left-backs, he doesn't spring to my mind," quipped Keane. "Of course, he was a brilliant player." Henry rebuked Keane's claim and went on to discuss Cole's controversial and bad-blooded move from the north of London to the west, explaining he feels it is why the left-back isn't quite held in the regard he deserves. He continued: "Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man. "His whole family supports Arsenal. But I can understand why he left at the time. In 2005, David Dein shook hands on a deal, but he came back with something else. "With Ashley moving to Chelsea, people don't give him the respect he deserves for everything that he has done. But for me, Cole was outstanding." Former Arsenal vice-chairman Dein oversaw plenty of successes during his 24 years in the role, but he previously admitted that letting the left-back leave was one of his biggest regrets before stepping down in 2007. Cole was offered a hefty pay rise by Stamford Bridge chiefs and he went on to enjoy a fruitful eight-year spell with the club, winning one league title, a Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield and four FA Cups. He's considered very much in the debate of the greatest left-backs of all time alongside the likes of Roberto Carlos, Marcelo and Paolo Maldini.
Times
2 days ago
- General
- Times
Lee Carsley extends contract as England Under-21 manager
The England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley has signed a two-year contract extension on the eve of his team's European Championship defence. Carsley, 51, has led the under-21 side since 2021, when he replaced Aidy Boothroyd. He took charge of the senior team for six matches between Gareth Southgate's departure last summer and Thomas Tuchel's appointment. The head coach, who has committed to the FA until 2027, will spearhead England's defence of their Euros title in Slovakia. Their success two years ago, at the tournament in Georgia and Romania, was England's first since 1984. He will name his final squad for this summer's tournament on Friday morning. England play Czech Republic in their first match on June 12, followed by Slovenia three days later and Germany on June 18. Carsley, who is supported by assistant manager Ashley Cole, has won 24 of his 31 games in charge of the team (a 77.42 per cent win rate). He won five out of the six games he took charge of as manager of the senior team, but lost 2-1 to Greece at Wembley in the Nations League. In an interview with The Times in December, the former Everton and Ireland midfielder said he had no regrets over picking an ultra-attacking line-up against Greece that included Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon. He added that he was pleased to have demonstrated that he and his staff were capable of managing at an international level during the six matches. In his time leading the under-21 side Carsley has drawn plaudits for the attacking, expressive style his team has played with, and the innovative tactical tweaks he uses. In 2023, he deployed Gordon as a striker, after Folarin Balogun decided to represent the USA national team a month before the Euros began. Gordon won the player of the tournament award for his performances, and Carsley may need to show innovative thinking again with Liam Delap set to miss the Euros and instead go to the Club World Cup with Chelsea. Players such as Gordon, Palmer, Noni Madueke, Curtis Jones, Morgan Gibbs-White, Levi Colwill and James Trafford have successfully progressed from the under-21 side into the senior team since winning the Euros two years ago. In addition to his role as under-21 head coach, Carsley and his team support the senior side in preparing for major tournaments and scouting their opponents. He joined the England youth set-up in 2015, taking up roles as a specialist 'out-of-possession' coach and managing the under-20 team before being promoted to the under-21 side.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Thierry Henry left stunned by Roy Keane comment on Ashley Cole - as Arsenal legend lauds ex team-mate as the 'best left-back I've ever seen'
Thierry Henry offered a stunned reaction to Roy Keane as the pair debated former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole's status within the game. Cole won two Premier League titles at Arsenal - including their iconic Invincible season - before he joined Chelsea in a controversial move in 2006. The left back went on to win the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2010 and four FA Cups. Cole was also a key part of the Blues side that won the Champions League for the first time in 2012. While Cole was widely viewed as one of the best left backs in the world during his career, Arsenal legend Henry believes his status within the game remains underappreciated. 'I don't understand why in this country, he doesn't get respect. Ashley Cole was outstanding,' Henry said, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'Firstly, in 2000, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger. When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team. 'He opened everything. I would be dumb not to find a situation where I would be alone because the midfielder had to shuffle across, Robert [Pires] was moving, I am going in behind. He started everything. 'Ashley Cole for me, there is a battle for him not to be the best left back I have ever seen. Going forward, defending, the desire, what he won, and where he won it.' Former Man United captain Keane, however, surprised Henry by responding 'I think he [Ashley Cole] was a brilliant player but when you talk about great left backs, he doesn't spring to my mind.' A stunned Henry replied: 'But why not? Why is he not even in the discussion at time, why don't you hear his name?'. Gary Neville and Keane questioned as to whether the nature of Cole's move from Arsenal to Chelsea had played a part in the perceptions around the left back. Cole left Arsenal for Chelsea in exchange for £5million and French centre-back William Gallas. The left back had bene pictured meeting Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon in London while still under contract at Arsenal. Cole was fined £100,000, later reduced to £75,000 for breaching Premier League Rule K5 which prohibits negotiating with another club while still under contract. Chelsea and Mourinho were also punished. In his 2006 autobiography My Defence, Cole also wrote that he nearly crashed his car and was 'trembling with anger' when he discovered the Gunners were only willing to pay him £55,000 per week. Henry, however, came to Cole's defence over his contract demands by confirming Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein had gone back on an initial agreement with the star. 'Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man, I don't care what people say, Ashley Cole is Arsenal,' Henry said. 'At the time he did not want to say what happened, but Mr [David] Dein has since apologised. 'They shook hands on something and then they came back with something else. I understood Ashley, but why don't people get the respect for what he has done.' Cole was last year inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame in recognition of his career. 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. He is widely seen as the Premier League's greatest left-back of all time, while he also made 107 appearances for the English national team.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Premier League legends hit the fairways at US President Donald Trump's Doonbeg Golf Links before night on the Guinness
FORMER England footballers Peter Crouch, Ashley Cole and Steve Sidwell enjoyed a golfing getaway in Clare last week. The former Advertisement 4 Former Cheslea star Steve Sidwell and Peter Crouch hit Trump Doonbeg Credit: INSTAGRAM @stevesidwell14 4 The pair were also joined by former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole Credit: INSTAGRAM @stevesidwell14 4 The lads enjoyed a night out after the round at the stunning links course Credit: INSTAGRAM @stevesidwell14 4 U.S. President Donald Trump visited the course he owns last year before earning his second-term in office But the ex-Premier League stars cashed-in for an experience as they tackled one of Ireland's most scenic and challenging courses. Known for its dramatic dunes and views, Doonbeg has become a popular destination for sports personalities and celebrities alike. After their round, the trio were seen enjoying pints of Guinness at the resort. Images shared on social media showing them in relaxed form, surrounded by empty glasses and smiling faces. Advertisement read more on golf Former While both Ashley Cole and Steve Sidwell have also worked as pundits for TNT Sports, regularly appearing on Premier League and European football coverage. The course - which is obviously on President Trump has visited the course previously, and some members of his family are regular visitors to the stunning resort. Advertisement Most read in Golf But if you fancy a round at Donald Trump's Doonbeg? - It'll cost you -green fees at the luxury Co Clare resort are eye-watering €425 this time of year, and a weekend round soaring to €525. That's the price to play one of Ireland's most scenic links tracks, where the Atlantic views are as jaw-dropping as the bill at the pro shop. Fears over Scottie Scheffler after 'painful' moment spotted by fans while at Charles Schwab Some of the top links course around the country will be full with some of the best players in the world later this summer ahead of In 2019 some of the world's top players hit links in the Republic as they prepared for the challenge of Dundonald in Antrim. Advertisement
