Best left back in the world?

I view it differently. I think he's a RB, but can't get into the team due to Maicon having cemented the place and plays LB for the time being. I watched his first Milan derby in his first season, he was RB.

 

When's he ever stood out in the Champion's League or World Cup etc?

 

A lot!

How often do you watch him? I have seen him so often, both live and on T.V. in the EPL and he is solid. Plenty of others saying Cole so they have seen enough. He has it all and I think he is integral to the way Chelsea play.

 

I don't miss many England games anyway and he never worries me. Which games are you talking? The odd good performance in the EPL is nothing to brag about these days. Very over-rated.

 

I know Nick, but he can play left back with as much ease as right back and that's where he has spent most of his senior playing career. I hear what you're saying about Maicon right enough. I'm at odds on whether he'll always play at left or right back in the future though, given that left back has always been filled by right footers in the national team over the past decade or more and there aren't as many talented full backs backs coming through. He may turn out to be a Zambrotta type, but...I dunno, the right side is his natural side, so maybe you're right.

 

You serious mate?

He's been the most consistent LB in Europe for years. Even if he isn't standing out, or has an off-day, he's still solid. I can't 'pin-point' a particular performance because there is so many. He is consistently solid. He is the best LB in the world.

 

Suppose we'll see mate. I mean Zambrotta is able to play LB and RB equally well. Thats been the case for years in his career.

 

100% disagree. As much of a * as he is (which may be why you can't separate the player form the man), he is probably the most well-rounded full back in world football.

 

Lol, no way. I think you've been listening to the English media too long man. Until he starts performing like Lahm, Cafu or Maldini did at the top stage then I shall be rating him as a decent defender. Nothing more.

I'll tell you who a solid full back is. Ramos of Spain. Is Cole solid like him?

 

Yes. and he's better going forward.

 

Ashley cole has been the best left back in the world for a couple of years imo.

 

Ashley cole is alot better than ramos.... i know ramos plays right back but he does cost alot of their goals.

 

Ramos is far more susceptible on the defensive side of the game.

Ashley Cole I think is the only fullback in the world who can say he has marked both Ronaldo and Messi out of so many encounters.

His positional sense is phenomanal, his pace is up therer with the fastest. Solid in the tackle and quick to go forward. He's the perfect modern fullback.

He is a completly different player than Maldini who was an old school fullback. Nobody in world football could match him defensivly.

 

Cole better than Ramos??? * I've heard it all now:icon_mrgreen:

 

Cole is far better than Ramos. Ramos is the cause of most goals for Real because he hasn't got one ounce of positional sense.

 

Cole is better than Ramos. Now talking about overrating, look no further than Ramos.

 

Ramos is fantastic going forward but for a defender he is woefull at defending.

 

Cole is better than Ramos. Ramos is a step behind in an attacking sense and a leap behind defensively. Mourinho even said that he doesn't see Ramos as a full back, but a centre-half. It's sad you can't see past your own nose regarding Cole. Shame.

 

Ramos needs to mature to realise his potential.

I think Aly Cissocko will be the best in years to come though. Fantastic player.

 

I think he will under Mourinho.

I know, he's a player. France are spoiled for left-backs in Evra, Clichy and Cissokho. I also really like Filipe Luis of Atletico Madrid.