Former England defender Ashley Cole has made a stunning revelation that he was on the verge of joining Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona before his controversial move to Chelsea in 2006.
The Contract Dispute That Changed Everything
The 44-year-old explained how his departure from childhood club Arsenal stemmed from a bitter contract dispute that left him feeling 'undervalued and disrespected' by the Gunners hierarchy. Following a strong performance at Euro 2004, Cole returned expecting to sign a new £55,000-per-week deal, only to discover the offer had been reduced by £5,000.
'I came back from doing a good tournament and my agent said they had reneged on the contract,' Cole stated on the Stick to Football podcast. 'But I didn't care about the money. I said, "Give me the contract and I'll sign it, this is my club." I was getting bigger and had more stature, but I'm not, in my mind, asking for crazy money.'
European Giants Come Calling
Feeling betrayed after being told he would become the club's next captain following in Tony Adams' footsteps, Cole began considering his options abroad. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona registered serious interest in acquiring the talented left-back.
'From what I was told and heard, I was going to Real Madrid,' Cole admitted. 'I had conversations with agents because at that time I could sign for a foreign team. So it was Madrid and something like Barcelona. I don't know to what extent.'
Marriage Changes Everything
The transfer landscape shifted dramatically when Cole married pop star Cheryl in 2006. The England international decided against leaving the country, keeping him in London and ultimately paving the way for his shock move to Chelsea.
'Things changed, I got married and in the end I didn't want to leave the country,' Cole explained. 'Then, about a year and a half later, I remember sitting in my box with my agent and him calling me outside and saying: "You're not going to believe who it is, it's Chelsea."'
The Blues offered him £5,000-6,000 more per week than his Arsenal contract, and the deal was completed in September 2006 as part of a £5 million exchange that saw William Gallas move to Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea Legend Reflects on England Struggles
Cole became a Chelsea legend, making 337 appearances over eight years and winning numerous trophies including the Champions League, Premier League, and four FA Cups. However, his international career with England, despite earning 107 caps, failed to deliver silverware alongside stars like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Paul Scholes.
Reflecting on England's 'Golden Generation' failures, Cole suggested the team contained too many star players unwilling to sacrifice their individual styles for the collective good.
'Our team just didn't work,' Cole stated. 'I don't think it works putting all those players on the pitch and all the best ones together. Paul Scholes can't be Paul Scholes with Steven Gerrard in the team, because Stevie G can't be Stevie G with Paul Scholes. Were the players open enough to sacrifice themselves? People need to be more selfless and I think we weren't.'
