Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
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Cole ready for Bridge battle

08 Sep 2006 - 16:44:49

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England left-back Ashley Cole has admitted he faces a real battle to establish himself as a regular in the starting line-up at Chelsea.

The 25-year-old finally joined the Blues from Arsenal in a swap deal involving William Gallas on transfer deadline day, following a summer of speculation about his future.

The delay in completing the deal allowed Wayne Bridge to stake a claim for a regular starting spot in Chelsea's first team with a string of impressive displays.

"I have got a hard fight on my hands with Wayne. A lot of fans have told me how good he is playing but I am here for a battle," Cole told Chelsea TV.

"I didn't just come here and expect to play. I had it at Arsenal - I had to fight for my place there. There will definitely be a fight here."

Cole also explained exactly why he had opted to join Chelsea, rather than any of the other clubs chasing his signature.

He said: "They have won the league for two years running and have a great captain in JT (Terry) as well as a lot of English based players.

"They are a very ambitious team with the players they have brought in like Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack. Hopefully coming here, I can win more medals and the Champions League.

"I've won the league twice now so winning the Champions league would be a great achievement. I have been to the final once and I am eager to keep playing and hopefully one day I can pick it up.

"Chelsea have won the league two years on the trot and I think to go to the Champions League final and to actually win it would be a great achievement for them and me as well."