I need to get this out as it's been bugging me for some time. If you didn't know already, I'm a Chelsea fan and I've been very impressed by the start the Blues have made to this Premier League campaign. With just five league games played, Chelsea have scored 21 goals...that's an impressive stat right there.
For me though, there have been two outstanding performers. The Ghanaian machine that's Michael Essien - who has been immense in the midfield so far and the guy everybody (apart from Chelsea fans) love to hate, Ashley Cole. The latter, is England's left back and I don't think I'm alone when I say that he is currently the best player in his position.
Cole was a member of the 'unsuccessful' England World Cup squad in the summer and he was for me, team's best performer. He played in all four of England's games and gave a good account of himself, bombing down the left flank whenever he saw an opportunity.
Before the start of this season, there was speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid but that never materialised. For some years now the 29-year-old has been getting a lot of unnecessary abuse from supporters whenever Chelsea play away from home. However, the abuse he receives from fans seems to have no affect on the players performance. Instead, it seems like he fuels himself off it.
Personally, I think he is underrated which for me is a consequence of his private life. He was married to X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole (notice how she's kept the surname Cole) but for whatever reason, the two divorced earlier in September.
Despite all this drama in his private life and the torrent abuse he receives every other week, Ashley Cole continues to perform at a high level which makes him an essential member of the Chelsea team and one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League right now.
It's only right to give credit where credit's due and right now, Ashley Cole deserves credit by the boat load.
