MX23RW : Friday, November 8 10:10:42| >> :60:3302:3302:

Jose Mourinho backs Ashley Cole for World Cup inclusion

Jose Mourinho says that experienced Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole is "ready for the World Cup".

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that Ashley Cole should be a part of the England squad for this summer's World Cup, despite the fact that he has used the left-back sparingly this season.

Mourinho has often preferred Cesar Azpilicueta to Cole, which has limited the 33-year-old to 25 appearances in all competitions this term.

However, having used the defender in recent matches against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, Mourinho believes that Cole has done more than enough to capture the attention of England head coach Roy Hodgson.

"Ashley hasn't played a lot this season but he has played against Atletico Madrid and Liverpool away. These matches represent 20 and Mr Roy Hodgson knows that Ashley Cole is ready for the World Cup," he told reporters.

Cole is believed to be vying for a place in the squad with Everton's Leighton Baines and Southampton youngster Luke Shaw.

ID:152287: cacheID:152287:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1910:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashley Cole of England runs with the ball during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group H match between England and Moldova at Wembley Stadium on September 6, 2013
Read Next:
Should Ashley Cole be selected for the World Cup?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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!