As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Chelsea's Cole: Disappointed with his perceived reputation

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is unhappy that his reputation has lead to resentment from fans and the public. He was criticised over the way he moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006 and was also booed by some England fans during the 5-1 win over Kazakhstan after his mistake led to their goal.

There has also been off the field tabloid revelations about his private life.

"Of course I'm not happy that everyone hates you because they don't know me and only know me through what's written," he told BBC's Football Focus.

"With the England game, I'm not going to sit here and say it didn't bother me, of course it did.

"I'm just like you, I'm like everyone else, I've got feelings and it made me feel that small at the time. It was hard to deal with but you can't stop people from booing.

"As long as I know that people that are close to me know how I am, know I'm not this monster that people seem to think I am, as long as my friends, family and team-mates, manager, are all happy with what's going on then I'm fine with that."

After moving to Chelsea, Cole released his autobiography "My Defence", that reportedly sold only 4,000 copies, and earned him further criticism.

"I try not to regret things I've done in life but if things could have changed then I probably wouldn't have done the book," said Cole.

"I think in the case of my book, I've probably done it out of frustration but it made everything ten times worse."

Video of the day:

About the author

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free