Published: 23rd June 2012
ASHLEY COLE is the greatest left-back in England’s history.
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That is the view of Frank Lampard, his Chelsea and Three Lions team-mate.
In fact Lamps is convinced Cole, 31, will go on to become our most capped player of all time.
Tonight Cole will collect his 98th cap in theEuro 2012 quarter-final with Italy, meaning his century could come in next Sunday’s final.
And Lampard says the Stamford Bridge star is so good he can even go on to eclipse keeper Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances and set a new benchmark that will last for years.
Lampard, 34, said: “Ashley is the best left-back England have ever had and he’s shown that again out at the Euros. He has been brilliant.
“But that does not surprise me. I have seen him go toe to toe with the best names in the game and have never seen anyone get the better of him.
“Not Lionel Messi, not Cristiano Ronaldo, not anybody.
“He has been a first choice for four different England managers now, which is remarkable.
“He’s been the best left-back in England for years and to maintain those high standards over a decade is testimony to his skill and dedication.
“Ash has got the lot. I remember him starting off as a youngster at Arsenal racing up and down the left.
“You could see he was special even then and he has maintained that level of performance for so long.
“Of course he is blessed with great pace but it’s not his pace alone that makes him so special.
“He is also incredibly fit, as fit as anyone at Chelsea or England. He can go on and on all day.
“But his greatest asset is his game awareness, the ability to anticipate what’s about to happen.
“That’s why I’m sure he will go on and on, all the way to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil and maybe even beyond that.
“He’ll definitely get 100 caps. If things go well that would be the final, which would be amazing.
“If not then it’ll be very soon and I can see him racking up 120-130 caps, even more than Peter Shilton.
“He’s already set one record. The win over Ukraine was his 21st match in a tournament for England, which puts him out there on his own. And he’s only 31, so he’s right at his peak and playing his best football ever.
“I’m thrilled that he’s now finally getting the recognition he so deserves as he’s a great lad.
“He doesn’t talk much to the media, he just gets on with his job. And 97 caps for England speaks volumes.”
Lampard says Cole will relish today’s clash with Italy in a showdown the Blues midfielder believes England can win.
Lamps added: “This is certainly not a vintage Italy side and if you look at the names, there’s not a lot of individuals we should be scared of.
“I hope we can do it and I believe we can do it.
“And we all know it will be the Germans waiting for us next!”
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