Chelsea FC: Ashley Cole To Start Against Atletico Madrid

Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Chelsea FC defender Ashley Cole will make his much anticipated return to the starting lineup today in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid. The change was brought about by the suspension of Branislav Ivanovic for accumulation of yellow cards in the last match against PSG. Ashley Cole will return to his position at left back and Cesar Azpilicueta will return to his natural position at right back. Azpilicueta has been playing at left back since the start of the season and has been the most consistent performer in Chelsea’s lineup but he is a right back by trade.

There was much speculation that David Luiz would slot in at right back in place of Ivanovic and that would be the final sign that Ashley Cole’s time at Chelsea was truly over. The England defender has been scarcely used since the turn of the new year but has also been recovering from an injury. His last appearance was on April 5th as a substitute against Stoke City and his last start was also against Stoke in the FA Cup on January 26th.

It has been a strange season for Cole who many regard as one of the best, if not the best, left back in the world. He has undoubtedly lost a step at his age but he still has the talent and guile to play at the highest level. Cole has much to prove tonight against one of the best teams in Spain and can do a lot towards proving he still belongs at Chelsea or impressing other suitors when his contract expires in the summer. At 33, Cole is on the wrong side of 30 as far as Chelsea is concerned and he has only been offered one year contracts in recent years. The leftback still has something left in the tank and will do well to make sure his manager and world know it at the end of the night.

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