Ashley Cole has lifted the lid on the dramatic crossroads that shaped his career, revealing he felt “underappreciated” at Arsenal and even had opportunities to join European superclubs before ultimately choosing Chelsea. The former England defender admitted both Real Madrid and Barcelona were serious options, but personal circumstances drove his eventual west London switch.
Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted Cole
Cole has reflected on the turbulent final months of his Arsenal career, explaining how frustration over contract talks played a major role in his decision to pursue a move away from the club. As negotiations stalled and the left-back felt increasingly undervalued, he became open to opportunities abroad, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona showing interest. However, despite preparing for a potential move overseas, his eventual decision to remain in London set the stage for his now-famous transfer to Chelsea.
During this period, Cole found himself caught between career ambition and personal stability, especially after marrying Cheryl Cole, which made a relocation abroad less appealing. As interest from Spain cooled and his dissatisfaction at Arsenal deepened, his representatives received an unexpected call from Chelsea, an option that ultimately changed the trajectory of his career. A year and a half after initial issues surfaced, Cole completed his move to Stamford Bridge in a £5 million deal involving William Gallas going the other way.
His transfer became one of the most controversial in Premier League history, but also one of the most successful in hindsight, as Cole went on to establish himself as one of Chelsea’s greatest modern defenders. Winning multiple domestic and European titles, he cemented a legacy that arguably surpassed his achievements at Arsenal. Yet the origins of his move remain rooted in a personal feeling of being undervalued, a sentiment he still openly discusses today.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCole felt 'underappreciated' at Arsenal
Cole explained the emotional aspects behind his decision, saying: "I felt a bit underappreciated and undervalued. So that's where my head and heart was at. I was like, 'You've taken my love away' and it didn't need to be like that." He admitted he initially planned to leave Arsenal for Europe, with major clubs ready to act.
Reflecting on the interest from abroad, he said: "From what I was told and heard, I was going to Real Madrid. I was having conversations with agents because at that point I could pre-sign for a team abroad. So, it was Madrid and kind of Barcelona. I don't know how deep it was." But personal developments changed his priorities.
Cole continued: "Things changed, I got married, and didn't actually want to leave the country in the end. Then, around a year and a half later, I remember sitting in my box with my agent and him calling me outside and going, 'You're never going to believe who this is, it's Chelsea.' So I was like, okay!" He added that Chelsea offered him "maybe five or six grand more" than what Arsenal were paying.
Cole opens up on the failure of England's Golden Generation
Cole went on to enjoy immense success at Chelsea, winning the Premier League, four FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League during an eight-year spell in which he made 337 appearances. He became widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of his generation and a cornerstone of Chelsea’s European triumphs. His trophy haul at Stamford Bridge eclipsed his achievements at Arsenal, despite having been part of the legendary Invincibles side.
On the international stage, however, Cole admitted that England’s so-called “golden generation” never found the right balance. He described the difficulties of fitting elite talents into one system, saying players were not always willing to sacrifice their preferred roles for the team. Cole highlighted the challenges of combining the traits of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and others, arguing their strengths did not naturally complement one another.
He reflected on how the team lacked cohesion despite the presence of world-class individuals, ultimately limiting their success at major tournaments. He said: "Reflecting now and where I am now, you know working with the England seniors now and seeing what they have compared to what we had, you think now that our team just didn't work.
"To get all of those players on the pitch – the three midfielders for example – and all the top players on the pitch together, I don't think it works and we can't all be what we are for our clubs.
"So Paul Scholes cannot be Paul Scholes with Steven Gerrard in the team, because Stevie G cannot be Stevie G with Paul Scholes, Lampard can't be the Frank Lampard for Chelsea with those two in the team.
"So were the players open enough to sacrifice themselves? People need to be more selfless and I don't think we were. Scholes wanted to hit his Man United diagonals, so did (David) Becks, Stevie G wanted to drive and push us up the pitch. Us defenders wanted to get forward."
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Getty Images SportHelping the next generation with England
Cole’s comments reignite a longstanding debate about his Arsenal exit and the choices that shaped his career, especially given how close he came to leaving England altogether. His account may prompt renewed reflection from supporters on both sides of the London divide, as well as fresh discussion about the so-called 'Golden Generation' and its shortcomings. As Cole continues to work within England’s coaching setup, his experiences—both domestic and international—are likely to inform the next era of national-team development.