Source: Team_Talk
Cole hoping to stay first choice
Ashley Cole may be about to turn 30, but the left-back insists he is as enthusiastic as ever to remain first choice for Chelsea and England.[LNB] Fabio Capello on Tuesday confirmed Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs will start against France at Wembley on Wednesday night, with Cole having withdrawn from the squad because of an unspecified injury.[LNB]Earlier this season, Cole joined Kenny Sansom as the most capped England full-back and has an array of domestic medals from his time at Arsenal and Stamford Bridge.[LNB]However, he is all too aware the next generation are waiting in the wings, but feels his commitment to the cause burns bright as ever.[LNB]"You do get a bit reflective at this stage in your career," Cole told the London Evening Standard.[LNB]"There are a lot of youngsters coming through - we have Josh McEachran, who is 17, and you sit with him thinking: 'How old are you?'[LNB]"You do feel your age, but being on the pitch makes me feel young and enthusiastic and healthy. That's what keeps me going every day in training.[LNB]"I am just doing my job - playing as well as I can for Chelsea and trying to win things.[LNB]"I try my best for England, too, and what people think is out of my hands. I can't do anything about it."[LNB]Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is in no doubt Cole ranks up there with the best left-backs in the world, comparing the England defender to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.[LNB]Cole, though, cannot see himself pressing on for as long as the veteran Italian did past his 40th birthday and suggested he intended to stay involved in football when he eventually retires.[LNB]"It may be something in the future I would try to learn from the people at Chelsea, but I have not really thought that far ahead," he said.
