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Ashley Cole may retire from football this summer, according to the Daily Mail. The former England left-back is due to return from holiday this week, and will then decide his next step.
The 33-year-old was released by Chelsea last year at the end of his contract, and he was also left out of England’s World Cup squad for the tournament in Brazil. Cole has spent his entire career challenging for trophies and wants to continue playing at a high level, either in the Premier League or abroad, in order to stay motivated.Liverpool, Barcelona, and AC Milan have all been linked with a move for the defender.
He has been universally recognised as one of the world’s best left-backs during his decorated career, and won almost everything there is to win in the club game. The four-time PFA Team of the Year member won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and Chelsea, and was part of the Gunners’ famous “Invincibles” side of 2003/04. He has won the FA Cup seven times, a record total for any player in the competition’s long history, and he added the Champions League and Europa League to his haul during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Cole won 107 caps for England, more than any other full-back, though he announced his retirement from international football after being overlooked by Roy Hodgson in favour of the younger Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw this summer.
He struggled for football at club level last season, after the impressive form of Cesar Azplilicueta kept him out of the Chelsea side for long spells. However, when he was called upon, he did not let Jose Mourinho down.
