Source: Team_Talk
Knight comes to Cole's defence
Zat Knight has launched an impassioned defence of old friend Ashley Cole and rejected claims the Chelsea star hired a bodyguard in Los Angeles.[LNB] With his on-off relationship with former X-Factor judge Cheryl back in the headlines, it was suggested Cole had hired an SAS-trained minder to keep the women at bay.[LNB]Yet Knight was part of the same holiday group as Cole. And he cannot understand how such rumours begin.[LNB]"He didn't have a minder that I know of, unless it was me," said the giant Bolton defender.[LNB]"Obviously I was on holiday with him but he was just a normal lad. He didn't get up to any mischief."[LNB]Knight's friendship with Cole goes back to their much younger days, when they were both based in London.[LNB]And knowing England's supporters' player of the year so intimately, the 31-year-old does not square the negative impression of Cole with the person he has got to know.[LNB]Knight is not attempting to rewrite history with some of the things Cole has done.[LNB]However, he does believe that, as far as his friend is concerned, there are some observers simply not prepared to offer an opportunity of redemption.[LNB]"I feel sorry for him," said Knight.[LNB]"It is every little thing. Don't get me wrong, he has caused his own problems at times but he is trying to do the right thing.[LNB]"Yet no matter what he does, it seems like it is wrong.[LNB]"I have known Ashley for many years. He is a great lad. I wouldn't have spent as much time with him otherwise.[LNB]"But that is me being a friend. From the outside looking in, other people make judgements and then don't give you that chance to put them right.[LNB]"He is trying to change his future because he just wants to play football.[LNB]"It is not nice when your personal life gets into your work."
