UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

Blessed with blistering pace, the ability to make forceful overlapping runs and provide telling crosses, left-sided defender Ashley Cole is one of England's finest talents.

National team
A permanent fixture in the national team, he underlined his first-choice status at the 2002 FIFA World Cup with a series of superb performances. By UEFA EURO 2004™ he was a crucial part of England's lineup, and even converted a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out defeat by hosts Portugal as he was named in the All-Star Squad. He is fast closing in on 50 international caps.

Club
Londoner Cole enjoyed a meteoric rise from the obscurity of Arsenal FC's reserve side to the world stage via the UEFA Champions League. Cole forced his way into the Arsenal side in autumn 2000 after a loan spell at Crystal Palace FC, and quickly relegated the skilful Brazilian Silvinho to the sidelines. A domestic double winner in 2001/02, he made 31 Premiership appearances as Arsenal relinquished their crown to Manchester United FC the following term. However, his season ended on a high when he helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup for the second season running.

2003: Played a key part in Arsenal's historic season, where they went through the entire Premiership campaign without losing a match. Also scored tavital goal against FC Dynamo Kyiv to keep his side in the Champions League.

2004/05: Cole appeared in 35 Premiership games, and even though Chelsea FC won the title, he converted Arsenal's penultimate kick in the FA Cup final penalty shoout-out success against Manchester United FC. Seemed set to leave the club after an illegal approach from Chelsea, but the left-back instead extended his Arsenal contract by 12 months until 2008.

Did you know?
When Cole made his international bow in a World Cup qualifier against Albania in June 2001 he had made just 19 Premiership appearances.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Attacking left-back whose England career began in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first competitive match as England coach, against Albania.
The Londoner was selected for England in that match in March 2001 despite having made only 11 appearances in the FA Premiership. Since then, Cole has established himself on England’s left, impressing in all five of England’s matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™.

The Arsenal defender had previously played for England at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and has won two league championships and three FA Cups with his club.

© 2001-2006 FIFA, All Rights Reserved

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

Born five days before Christmas in 1980, Ashley Cole, a left-sided defender, is regarded as one of England's finest young talents.

National team
A permanent fixture in the national team, he underlined his status as the country's premier performer in his role at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Any doubts about Cole's defensive abilities were allayed by his superb performances in Korea/Japan, particularly when he shackled Argentina's Ariel Ortega in England's 1-0 victory in Sapporo.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
An automatic selection when fit, Cole appeared in five of England's qualifiers. Hernia surgery in February 2003 prevented him from adding two more caps to his tally.

Club
Londoner Cole has seemingly not been affected by his meteoric rise from the obscurity of Arsenal FC's reserve side to the world stage via the UEFA Champions League. A product of the Highbury youth system, Cole forced his way into the Arsenal side for the first time in autumn 2000, having spent time on loan with Crystal Palace FC earlier in the year, and quickly relegated the skilful Brazilian Silvinho to the sidelines. Blessed with blistering pace, the ability to make forceful overlapping runs and provide telling crosses, he was a domestic double winner in 2001/02.

2002/03: Cole made 31 Premiership appearances as Arsenal relinquished their crown to Manchester United FC. However, his season ended on a high when he helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup for the second season running at the expense of Southampton FC.

2003/04: Played a key part in Arsenal's historic season, where they went through the entire Premiership campaign without losing a match. Crucial in the Gunners' forays down the left flank and scored the vital goal against FC Dynamo Kyiv to keep his side in the Champions League.

Did you know?
Cole made his international bow in a World Cup qualifier against Albania in June 2001 - a debut coming on the back of a mere 19 Premiership appearances.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

BBC's UEFA EURO 2004 player's profile

Has established himself as the number one choice at left-back although is likely to face increasing pressure for his spot from Chelsea's Wayne Bridge.

Cole's ability to get forward has helped England cope with their lack of a left winger, although there are still question marks over the defensive side of his game.

The Arsenal defender needs to curb a hot-headed streak but is vastly experienced despite his relatively tender years having made the breakthrough at a young age.

Cole enjoyed a fine season for record-breaking Arsenal, who remained unbeaten as they clinched the Premiership title.

©bbc.co.uk 2004. All rights reserved.