Ashley Cole spoke at his introductory press conference for Serie A giants AS Roma and was asked why so few English players ever play abroad. The veteran left back remarked that most English players are scared to leave England because it is in their comfort zone and they do not want to try something new. To be fair to the English players, why leave England when you can play in arguably the best league in the world that happens to be in your home country?
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When Ashley Cole signed with AS Roma he became just the 10th English player to ever play in Serie A. He also became the second Englishman to play in Rome after Paul Gascoigne in the early to mid-1990s. This move came as a bit of a surprise to many as they believed that Cole would either stay in the Premier League or make the move to one of the French giants in PSG and Monaco.
Ashley Cole on why English players stay in England and the pressure at AS Roma:
"English players are probably scared to come abroad. They’re in a comfort zone in England. That’s where we grew up, that’s where we played in the youth teams. As soon as I knew I had the chance to come abroad and come to Italy and come to this great club it was something I wanted to do. I’ve never been out of London, it’s a big opportunity for me to try a different language, different culture and a different way of living. I’m not afraid of pressure. I noticed the fans’ passion and love as soon as I landed. I’m going to enjoy my time here.”Source"
Ashley Cole has not always been a model professional but his professionalism on the pitch can not be debated. He plays with an intensity and focus of a player still trying to prove himself on the biggest stage. He is taking a risk by playing in Italy rather than staying close to home but in doing so he may have opened some young English players’ eyes to the possibility of moving abroad and taking on new challenges.
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