MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 15:37:06| >> :120:8450:8450:

Jose Mourinho hails centurion Ashley Cole

Mourinho hails centurion Cole
© PA Photos
Jose Mourinho backs Ashley Cole to continue for at least another four years as he approaches his 100th appearance for England.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has praised Ashley Cole ahead of the full-back's 100th cap for England.

Manager Roy Hodgson confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Chelsea defender would start against Brazil at Wembley Stadium tonight, thus taking his appearance numbers for the Three Lions into three figures.

Having worked with Cole during his time in charge of the Blues, Mourinho has insisted that there is no reason why the 32-year-old cannot continue playing at the highest level for another "four to five years".

"The brain controls, but the body needs to answer to the brain," said Mourinho. "His brain gives him, for sure, four to five years at a high level. I hope his body says yes.

"Ash is one of the best left-backs in the world. He is the kind of player who it is difficult to choose his best performance, because he is always so stable.

"I left England in 2007. At that time he was the best. Six years later he is still the best. He has won everything at club level and is getting his 100th cap. I believe the football world in England knows who he is."

Cole made his debut for England against Albania back in 2001.

ID:67962: cacheID:67962:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2374:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roy Hodgson watches on
Read Next:
England team stroll around London
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!