sport news Ashley Cole names his dream XI made up of ex-Arsenal and Chelsea team-mates ... trends now
Ashley Cole has named his dream XI consisting of his former Arsenal and Chelsea team-mates.
The left-back became the 22nd inductee into the Premier League Hall of Fame this week.
He is widely regarded as the best left-back in Premier League history, and was once seen as the best in his position in world football.
Following his induction, he has picked a team of the best stars he played with during his Premier League career.
Cole managed to pick five players he played with from both Arsenal and Chelsea, while also giving himself the nod at left-back over Gael Clichy and Sylvinho.
Ashley Cole has named his dream team-mate XI after his Premier League Hall of Fame induction
Cole selected Thierry Henry as one of five of his former Arsenal team-mates to make the XI
He also selected five Chelsea players including John Terry and Frank Lampard
Starting in goal, he selected Petr Cech, as he stated: 'I've played with David Seaman but Cech was at the time one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
'He was calm, composed, a real goalkeeper. He had everything and he could everything. Also, he was a great team-mate.'
There was perhaps no surprise as to who he selected at centre-back, with John Terry and Sol Campbell selected over the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Invincible winner Kolo Toure.
He described Campbell as a 'colossus at the back' but paid a glowing tribute to Terry.
Cole said: 'We had an amazing relationship. I played against him as a kid, districts and youth teams. And then to get to play alongside him and understand actually how good he was.
'He had everything. He could play left and right foot. There were moments where he'd just hook a ball away but he was the intelligent one where for a big guy he moved his frame. He would chest it down. We had a good understanding of each other.'
At right-back, he selected Branislav Ivanovic over Lauren stating that the Serbian was a man for the 'massive occasions' who scored 'important goals' for Chelsea.
Moving onto midfield, it was perhaps another easy selection as Patrick Vieira and Frank Lampard received the nod. Though there were some big names left out including Gilberto Silva, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack.
Patrick Vieira (left) and Robert Pires (second left) joined Henry and Cole who selected himself at left-back
Didier Drogba (left) got the nod over Dennis Bergkamp (right) alongside Henry in attack
Lauren (left) was a notable absence as Cole instead selected Branislav Ivanovic, while Freddie Ljungberg (right) made the cut over the likes of Arjen Robben and Eden Hazard on the wing
On Vieira, he said: 'He changed what midfielders looked like. He could beat players, he was strong, he was aggressive, he had great timing of his runs to get
