Monday, 3rd February, 2014
Jose Mourinho believes Ashley Cole deserves a place in the England squad for the 2014 World Cup, despite the left-back not featuring regularly for Chelsea this season.
Cole, who has been a stalwart in the Blues’ defence over the years, has made 20 appearances in all competitions for the club this season.
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The England international is no longer being guaranteed a starting place at Chelsea, with Mourinho preferring Cesar Azpilicueta over Cole in the left-back slot.
However, the Portuguese tactician is of the opinion that the 33-year-old warrants a spot in Roy Hodgson's England squad as the defender has played well when called upon.
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Mourinho further added that he believes Cole and Everton’s full-back Leighton Baines will provide stability to the Three Lions’ backline in Brazil.
“Ashley is playing well for us. Okay, he is not playing every game but when he plays he is playing well and I think that is what Roy Hodgson needs to feel and needs to know”, the manager explained to his club’s official site.
“At the moment our team is playing very well from a defensive point of view. We've found some balance. On our left side we have Eden [Hazard], a very offensive winger that plays very wide, and we have stability with Azpilicueta being behind him as a strong defender.
“On the right side it's different because we have a winger who comes inside a lot and a right-back that is going forward, so we are finding the balances.
“I believe more in stability and knowing the player and what they can give you in high pressure situations like a World Cup.
“It's not my problem, it's Roy's problem, but I think he goes for stability and takes Ashley and Leighton Baines who are the left-backs that helped the team qualify.”
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