Ashley Cole has opened up about the controversial move that saw him leave Arsenal for Chelsea in 2006, citing feelings of being “disrespected” and “shafted” during contract negotiations.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s top players and a regular for England, Cole was a key figure at Arsenal. He made over 200 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups after coming through their academy. However, contract talks with the Gunners took a sour turn.
According to Cole, Arsenal promised him a lucrative deal but later backtracked, offering less than agreed. Feeling undervalued, he signed with Chelsea for a reported £100,000-a-week contract. This decision sparked outrage among Arsenal fans, who branded him “Cashley” and taunted him with fake £20 notes.
On That Peter Crouch Podcast, Cole explained his side of the story, expressing frustration that fans didn’t know the full details. “I knew my worth,” he said. “They agreed to pay it, then pulled the rug out from under me. They broke their promise, and I still don’t know why.”
Cole admitted the decision to leave Arsenal wasn’t easy. “It was my boyhood club, my dream. But they put me through a lot and left me to deal with it alone. I felt hurt, but fans only saw me as the villain.”
Despite the backlash, Cole’s move to Chelsea proved successful. He added another Premier League title, four FA Cups, the Europa League, and the Champions League to his trophy cabinet.
Widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Cole earned over 100 caps for England and was named in the Premier League Team of the Year four times.
Now 44, Cole serves as a full-time coach at the FA, working with youth teams at St. George’s Park. Reflecting on his career, he maintains that his departure from Arsenal was more painful for him than fans ever understood.