Ashley Cole looks to get back on track in Los Angeles

05 February 2016 22:53

Ashley Cole is looking forward to putting a difficult few years behind him as the former England left-back looks to kick-start his career again with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Considered one of the best full-backs in the world not so long ago, things have tailed off for the 35-year-old in recent seasons.

Cole began to find his playing time restricted at Chelsea and his eight-year association with the club came to an end in 2014, shortly after he called time on his 107-cap England career just before the World Cup.

The left-back moved to Roma in search of a fresh start but it did not work out, with just 16 appearances before his two-year contract was terminated by mutual consent last month.

Cole, as was expected, quickly joined the Galaxy where he links up with the likes of former England captain Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Nigel de Jong ahead of the new Major League Soccer campaign.

"I did find it, of course, difficult the last two years, not playing as much as I hoped and wanted to," he told a press conference at StubHub Center after his first training session with the club.

"This is a new challenge. I tried to keep myself as fit as I could, I am very motivated.

"Okay, I wasn't in the squads (at Roma) but I tried to train as hard as I could, tried to stay in shape as much as I could.

"Now it's a new challenge, a new venture for me. I've always been born to play hard and win things and I don't come here any different.

"That's in my mindset, to come here and to win trophies."

Cole knows a thing or two about winning, boasting four Premier League titles, seven FA Cup winners' medals and a Champions League from his time in England.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender is now looking to add to that haul in Los Angeles, admitting he "didn't really fancy" going back to England.

The likes of Gerrard, Keane and New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard helped sway him Stateside - a place Cole seemed keen to avoid when leaving Chelsea in 2014.

The former England left-back said he moved to Roma instead of an American club because he was "not ready to relax on a beach yet" and those comments were brought up at his unveiling.

"Of course I knew I was going to get this question," Cole said, seated alongside manager Bruce Arena and fellow new boy Jelle van Damme, formerly of Southampton and Wolves.

"Again, I am not going to come here and try to defend myself - it was said but it was for sure taken out of (context).

"I was talking to the reporter before and he kind of said it to me: 'oh, we're glad to have you here at Roma, we didn't expect you to be here - we thought you would go and relax on the beach'.

"So in the interview, I've said it: yes, it's come out of my mouth and of course you have to understand I was at a new team. I have to kind of tell the fans at Roma that I was there to fight, to win things and play in the Champions League in Europe.

"Of course, I hold my hands up, it was said, but for sure it was taken out of (context).

"I have to deal with it and I hope I can change the views of me coming here, playing on the pitch and playing as well as I can."

Source: PA