Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand has admitted that he has considered Ashley Cole to a be a role model to him during his career.

Cole has been ruled out for two weeks after he suffered an hamstring injury against Manchester United on Easter Monday, and Bertrand, who is his likely replacement, has revealed that he has always looked up to the 32-year-old.

The 23-year-old told The Sport Review: "It's a chance for me to come in and play in the next few games. It's important that I just focus on the next game and make sure we get the right results.

"Ashley has been a focal point for my career even before he was at Chelsea.

"He was someone I used to look up and watch and having him at Chelsea has been a chance for me to see it first-hand, how he goes about his work day in, day out."

The England international has made 32 appearances for Chelsea this season.

Written by
Darren Plant