Ashley Cole’s MLS comments come back to haunt him

Ashley Cole: Moved to LA

Former England, Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole claims his 2014 comments about MLS have been “taken out of context”.

Cole, who signed for the LA Galaxy last month, is relishing the “new challenge” and knows he will have to work hard to change the public’s perception of him after his comments two years ago.

The 35-year-old turned down offers to join MLS clubs in 2014 and instead signed for Roma, saying he was “not ready to relax on a beach yet”.

Cole, who is believed to be earning less than £40,000 a week, said: “I hold my hands up, it was said, but it was taken out of context.

“I have to deal with it and hope I can change the views of me coming here.”

Cole, who was capped 107 times by England, won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League before moving to Roma on a two-year deal in the summer of 2014.

But he played just 16 times for the Serie A side before having his deal cut short to join Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane in Los Angeles.

“I did find it, of course, difficult the last two years, not playing as much as I hoped and wanted to,” added Cole.

“Now it’s a new challenge, a new venture for me. I’ve always been born to play hard and win things and I don’t come here any different.

“That’s in my mindset, to come here and to win trophies.”