January 3rd 2025.
In 2006, there was a lot of buzz in the football world as Arsenal and Chelsea reached a huge agreement for a player transfer. Ashley Cole, who was a prominent player for Arsenal and a regular for the England national team, made the controversial decision to switch over to their Premier League rivals, Chelsea.
At the time, Cole was a highly regarded player and had made over 200 appearances for Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. However, during contract negotiations, he felt disrespected and "shafted" by his beloved club. Despite their attempts to extend his stay, Arsenal offered him a contract that was not as lucrative as promised, prompting Cole to join Chelsea on a deal worth over £100,000-a-week.
Understandably, Arsenal fans were not happy with Cole's departure and showed their displeasure by waving fake £20 notes at him and dubbing him "Cashley." However, Cole explains that the fans did not know the full story and how he was let down by the club he had grown up supporting. He acknowledges their frustration but also shares his own, stating that he was the one who got hurt the most.
In an interview on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Cole revealed that everything was agreed upon with Arsenal, but they suddenly pulled out of the deal without any explanation. He also mentions the pressure he felt to either stay or leave the club, ultimately feeling disrespected by Arsenal.
Despite the bitterness he initially felt towards Arsenal, Cole went on to achieve even more success at Chelsea, winning another Premier League title, four more FA Cups, the Europa League, and the Champions League. He solidified his place as one of the best defenders of his generation and earned over 100 caps for England.
Now, at 44 years old, Cole has retired from playing and has taken on a coaching role with the FA, working with the youth teams at St. George's Park. Looking back, he admits to feeling bitter towards Arsenal for putting him through a difficult time, but also understands the fans' frustrations and their lack of knowledge about the situation. It took 20 years for the former Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, to finally speak about what happened, but Cole holds no grudges and has moved on to a new chapter in his career.
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