Arsenal won't lose out over Cole
Posted by DavidM in Arsenal | 26 July 2006
Although Arsenal have stated that they still haven't had a bid for Ashley Cole from Chelsea, the rumours are still rife. But Arsenal won't be losing out if they do sell him.
Despite all the off-pitch silliness, Cole is still an excellent player and possibly the best left-back in the world. Although Arsenal have back-up in the shape of Clichy with occasional cover already having been provided by Flamini and Larsson, the Gunners will need to buy or bring on a top class replacement.
But Cole has been increasingly injury-prone of late, so how much would he participate in future seasons anyway? Wenger has a history of nurturing young talent to success in the first team then selling them at what appears to be their peak. Sometimes they continue to do well, in many cases they never achieve their Arsenal best again. I don't think CChelsea will see the best of Cole and Arsenal will have made a good deal.
And the Gunners won't be losing a player the fans love - reading the comments on East Lower, it's clear that even those fans who had been supportive of Cole and prepared to forgive and forget have had enough since his whinging in his autobiography.
The only issue is whether Arsenal get fair value for him. On the one hand there are reports that Arsenal are holding out for £25-30m which is about right for a world-class player, on the other hand, there is the £16m cash purchase clause in Cole's contract. There aren't many teams in a position to make a cash purchase of that size, but it's certainly not a problem for Chelsea.
Losing Cole will be a blow because he is undoubtedly a great player. However, as long as Wenger gets a good price, it's time for Cole to go and for Arsenal to move on.
Comments
Interesting. As I understand it, there's no actual clause in Cole's contract - it was something that he shook hands with Wenger and Dein over. A gentlemen's agreement, so to speak.
In much the same way that Sol Campbell screwed over his club by walking on a free, so Arsenal now seem determined to screw over a player who's given them an awful lot. £25m for a fullback? Ridiculous. And now we hear that they're holding out for £30m.
We all appreciate the significance of a home-grown Arsenal player (and, let's face it, there aren't many of them) leaving the summer before they start at the shiny new Emirates (TM) Stadium. It's embarassing.
What's even more embarassing is that Chelsea will probably end up paying it.
His Ashley Cole going to see this comments? All i want to say his that he should look at Dennis an Henry, it cant get better than that.. and he should look at Anelka and Viera. For all i care about he should go for the right price. I trusth Wenger to do his Magic again.
Cole must go, there is no way he
should be in an Arsenal Uniform at the start of the season. He is a Judas.
Agree its time Cole was sold cos he has become a destabilising factor just like Viera Vs. Real saga. We do not need this as season begins. But i disagree that we need to buy a left back, glichy,Flamini,Traore will do the job well.
We dont need him anymore.
We will be a great team without him.
Better things always follow good ones.If Gio van Bronchost left when he was good,then the better Cole started expressing him self.we shall always remember his good and skillfull game still with the likes of french duo flamin and gael clichy.Henry for arsenal.
