Ryan Bertrand has conceded that Ashley Cole’s presence at Chelsea his both a help and hindrance to his development for his bid to succeed the 30-year-old at left-back.
Bertrand said:
“It’s a massive positive having him [Cole] at Chelsea – and a massive hindrance too I suppose!
“He’s definitely right up there – his attitude, the way he goes about training. He’s won the most FA Cups, and a lot of other silverware, and to still have that attitude at his age is fantastic.
“He’s a fantastic role model.
“He’s a brilliant man and a brilliant player to have around to help you with your game.
“If I ever have anything to ask him about a certain situation on the pitch, he’s more than happy to come back and talk.”
He added:
“He is able to chip in and give you little bits of advice and that’s really good.
“He encourages you to be really positive, like the modern-day full-backs, and perhaps think more, with different runs, inside the man and outside the man.”
After a recent exodus of young players at Stamford Bridge, with a few more linked with moves away, the 21-year-old may be tempted to jump ship himself as it seems unlikely that he will get much game time because Cole is at the club and starts every week.
However, does there come a time when you have to show faith with someone like Bertrand (or even Patrick van Aanholt) and get them to share some of the first team responsibilities with some of the senior players? Does Ashley Cole really need to be starting almost 50 games in a season? Surely more trust should be afforded to either of our two young left-backs, who I rate highly and think the best way to develop them is to let them play.
Cole will be able to play longer if he plays less each season. with Ryan and Patrick we have two players who don’t represent a gamble if they were to play instead of Cole or at least replace him during some matches.
we are losing so many talents already, start giving them 1st team exposure guys.
I tink it is high tym we give dis yong boyz more playin tyms in d 1st team cox d more dey play is d more dey gather momentum or d deir spirit will b high 2 play more
The other thing is that Cole isn’t getting any better and I don’t think anyone outside of England rates him as ‘the world’s best left-back’, which is nothing more than hyperbole and a lazy evaluation of the player.
Good thing about Ryan Bertrand is that he can cross, vital if you’re a 433/451 side as you’re relying on fullbacks to provide width on the overlap. Now, Cole defends well and gets in attacking positions, but is an absolutely abysmal crosser of a ball.
Cash in on Cashley.
He is a very very consistent and reliable player but it is true about his crossing. Very poor. So often good situations are wasted through him.