'FA Cup final 2009: Ashley Cole can join exclusive club by winning FA Cup final with Chelsea

A reputation that sharply divides public opinion has often overshadowed Cole's achievements but, should Chelsea beat Everton, he would surpass such luminaries as Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Mark Hughes, David Seaman and Ray Parlour, who have all lifted the FA Cup four times.'I've got the chance to make history and that means such a lot to me,' Cole said. 'The build-up and the atmosphere is always brilliant and being English, it's one of the best trophies you can win.  Related ArticlesTop 10 Cup final goalsMikel: Cup defeat unthinkableChelsea plan Hiddink farewellCesc Fabregas double gives Arsenal win over poor MiddlesbroughCaptain tips Hughes for bigger stageDefender blames lack of respect'I'm only 28 and hopefully there will be many more. Six, seven, why not? To actually hold the record would be a very, very proud moment.'Cole's first FA Cup victory came with Arsenal against Chelsea in 2002 before retaining the trophy against Southampton the following year and then scoring in the 2005 penalty shoot-out win over Manchester United. He then moved to Chelsea and was part of the team that defeated Manchester United in the first final at the new Wembley. The only three players to have won the FA Cup on five occasions – Charles Wollaston, Arthur Kinnaird and Jimmy Forrest – achieved the feat during the 19th century. Understandably, they are not names with which Cole is familiar. 'My best memory was probably scoring a penalty against Manchester United,' said Cole. 'It was in front of the Man United fans so that was pretty scary because they were giving me a lot of stick. When it means more it motivates me a bit more. I think there's been more pressure playing for England.'Cole has been a model of on-field consistency this season and believes that he has returned to the sort of form that saw him hailed as the world's best left-back. 'I'm definitely playing the best football of my time at Chelsea,' he said. 'I came here with a bad ankle injury and I couldn't play my best. But I never wanted to miss a game because I knew they had Wayne Bridge waiting. Now I feel fit. I feel very confident at the moment. I'm getting forward more and, without making excuses, that was down to the bad ankle. I couldn't run.'As well as Cole, the spotlight will inevitably fall on Didier Drogba, who returns to the major stage for the first time since his histrionics after the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. 'I think maybe after the final, maybe next season when we start again, we won't be thinking about this again,' said Drogba. 'I've apologised. I think the spirit of my team-mates, the way my fans and the club supported me was great and the objective is the FA Cup final." I think it will be more difficult than the game against Man United a few years ago. We are going to face a really strong team who we struggled to beat in the league.' 

Source: Telegraph