Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

England's '11 bulldogs' ready for Italy clash, says Cole

Krakow, Jun 23: England left-back Ashley Cole said his team-mates are like '11 bulldogs' who are prepared to "die on the pitch for each other" ahead of their quarter-final clash with Italy in Kiev on Sunday.

"With most English lads, and you see it with this group, we are like 11 bulldogs, who always work for each other and die on the pitch for each other. So far it has worked," Cole said in an interview with BBC Five Live.

The 31-year-old defender will play his 98th game for the Three Lions against the Azzurri on Sunday and if England manage to reach the finals, Cole could earn his 100th cap.

"It is something when you are growing up, you want to win caps and play as many games as you can for your country."

"I have been lucky enough to play 97 times and, you never know, but hopefully get to 100 in the final, which would be amazing. It is what little kids' dreams are made of," the Chelsea defender said.

Cole believes England have improved under newly appointed manager Roy Hodgson who has been able to get the most out of his players in a short period of time.

"We are the same all over the world. You have different cultures and being at Chelsea, we have different people, who are different in the way they prepare for games and how they are," Cole said.

Cole praised England and Chelsea team-mate John Terry, who has managed to put both on and off-field controversies behind him to produce a solid performance for club and country.

"Whatever has gone on in his life, he has put to the back of his mind and done his job in a great professional way.

He is someone who would put his body on the line for any team and any player he plays with. He is a joy to play with," Cole said.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 24, 2017, 17:27 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 24, 2017