At a Glance:
Jordi Alba was compared to Ashley Cole.
How Alba reacted.
Stat comparison.
As far as the greatest left-backs in football history are concerned, Jordi Alba and Ashley Cole are right up there amongst the best of the best.
Arsenal fans will remember Cole in particular for being a key member of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad as their starting left-back. Arsene Wenger believed Arsenal could go unbeaten even before the 2003/2004 season began and a huge reason behind his faith must have been down to players like the Englishman.
The Champions League winner’s move to Chelsea in 2006 meant his relationship with many Gunners supporters soured but the 45-year-old won two league titles and three FA Cups at his boyhood club.
While Arsenal have an elite defence nowadays, one can safely say that Ashley Cole would walk into their current XI in place out of either Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie.
Jordi Alba was asked by ESPN FC whether Ashley Cole is a better left-back than him.
Jordi Alba claims he is better than Ashley Cole
Alba was asked to stay quiet until he hears a superior full-back to him. Jordi Alba did not utter a word when the likes of Reece James, Achraf Hakimi and Alphonso Davies were mentioned.
Alba’s reaction was the same when Ashley Cole’s name was brought to the table.
However, the Inter Miami star did admit Marcelo and Roberto Carlos were better than him.
Comparing Jordi Alba and Ashley Cole using stats
Even if several Arsenal fans do not have much admiration for Ashley Cole after his move to their bitter rivals Chelsea, they can recall how excellent a player he was and as a result, they could back him over Jordi Alba.
However, Alba was no slouch at the peak of his powers either and unlike Cole, he triumphed internationally by winning Euro 2012 in particular.
Stats Jordi Alba Ashley Cole
Matches 666 808
Goals 42 21
Assists 130 77
Club honours 17 16
International honours 2 0
Furthermore, Alba was far superior in terms of his productivity, registering 42 goals and 130 assists while Ashley Cole amassed 21 goals and 77 assists in comparison.
However, the latter played 808 career games while the Spaniard made 666 in total.
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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