FA Cup final 2009: I am finally at my best for Chelsea says Ashley Cole

31 May 2009 22:01
The 28-year-old said: "I can run up and down again and I can kick the ball again. When I first came to Chelsea I couldn't kick the ball and it was pointless me playing really. But I tried to play through it, the pain for the manager who bought me. Now I feel fit and feel how I did when I was at Arsenal.[LNB]"The operation took the pieces of bone away so I can move easily now. I did it at Arsenal and I came to Chelsea within six or seven months of doing it and I didn't really want to come to the club and have the operation straight away. I shouldn't have done it, but you learn from these things. Now I'm happy with the way things are going."[LNB] Related ArticlesBallack agrees new dealHiddink bows out in styleSaha's record strikeBittersweet win a tribute to HiddinkFA Cup final 2009: Ashley Cole can join exclusive club by winning FA Cup final with ChelseaGuus Hiddink: Partner persuaded me to stay at ChelseaSpeaking in the wake of Chelsea's FA Cup triumph, Cole, who has enjoyed a fine season, added: "I just knew that when my ankle was better I would be able to run. People were saying it was the manager (Jose) Mourinho who didn't let me attack but I just couldn't do it. I played with it in the World Cup and I was ****, so I just wanted the injury finished and then I could get back to my best. This is the best I've felt."[LNB]Cole said he is playing his best football since being part of the Arsenal Invincible team of 2004. [LNB]Despite his impressive performances Cole, who has now joined up with the rest of the England squad ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, has been criticised for the way he has played for his country. During last October's tie at home to Kazakhstan – who England face on Saturday – he was jeered after making a mistake by the home supporters. [LNB]However he said this had more to do with allegations about his private life than his football. "Everyone knows it wasn't about football so there is nothing I can do," Cole said. "I can just try to show people I can play as well as I can to change opinion.[LNB]"I feel like I am enjoying my football the most and if I play well then I will change peoples' minds. I just want to win things, just win and hopefully win something with England. If I score the winning goal for England at the World Cup then maybe they will like me again." [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph