Quotes from Ashley Cole

I shouldn't have retired from England. I needed to respect the shirt.

All I can do is try to show people that I can play well and try to change their opinion.

My best memory was probably scoring a penalty against Manchester United.

I wake up every morning new, free as a bird.

No players want to hear their own fans booing the players, booing the team, but football is a hard game, and you can't win everything.

I've played 100 caps for England, for my country. Being the first black player, I think, is amazing.

I'm definitely playing the best football of my time at Chelsea.

I love Chelsea. I've been here seven years now, and I'd love to stay here as long as I can.

Gary Neville said he thought it was a waste of time playing for England because he has not won anything. I kind of understand where he is coming from. But the players we have here, a lot of them have won things and have the attitude that we need to win.

When I used to see things in the newspapers, going onto the pitch was the best way to get away from it.

I have made mistakes and just have to live with it, but at the end of the day, I just want to play football.

Judge me on how I play football, or judge me on when you meet me.

When I first came to Chelsea, I couldn't kick the ball, and it was pointless, me playing, really. But I tried to play through the pain for the manager who bought me.

I'd like to be a scout, go watch the games, and try and find a diamond in the rough.

People talk about what I did in my private life more than if I'm good at football. 'Oh yeah, he was good, but I don't like him because of this.' But you don't know me! Know me as a footballer.

I'm proud, privileged, and overwhelmed by how many times I've played for England.

To win the Premier League proves you are a top team.

I don't do things to try and get publicity or anything like that.

When you're growing up and thinking about being a footballer, you want to make as many caps and play as many games as you can.

Of course I'm a winner. I always want to win.

I've always had a good relationship with Mourinho.

Sometimes in the Champions League, I don't think it's always the best team that wins it. It depends on how you play on a certain day.

A lot of people judge others too quickly without actually knowing the full facts or the actual real person.

I have been able to fulfil nearly all my ambitions at Chelsea. I have won the Champions League, the League, I have won FA Cups here, but you don't want to stop winning trophies, and being at a big club, you are always fighting to win a trophy.