As players, whenever the manager gets the sack, you have to look in the mirror and say it's not always the manager. It's down to the players.
— Ashley Cole
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.
When you come out and know you're singing the national anthem, it gives you a buzz and gets you lifted for the game.
In football, you can't always have it your own way. You can't always have the good times. You are going to have bad spells and periods when you are not playing well. It is something I have to deal with. I have learnt to deal with it.
I've been to so many beautiful countries and never got the chance to see them.
I wake up every morning new, free as a bird.
I've got the chance to make history, and that means such a lot to me.
I shouldn't have retired from England. I needed to respect the shirt.
Soccer players in L.A. can kind of just walk the streets. They have bigger people to take pictures of. They see Sylvester Stallone walking down the street, I don't think they are going to want an Ashley Cole picture, to be honest.
It happens in football: you are loved one day and hated the next.
I've always had a good relationship with Mourinho.
I'm not a goalscorer. It's not my job. Everyone always tells me I've never scored. I don't think I've had a shot.
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.
A lot of people judge others too quickly without actually knowing the full facts or the actual real person.
Of course I've done stupid things in my career, and I do always seem to be in the paper, but I hate seeing myself.
My dad's from Barbados, but I lived with my mum. She brought me up; my uncle took me to the football. I grew up in a white family, I'd say.
To put on an England shirt to represent your country is a great honour. That feeling never changes.
I wanted to stay at Chelsea because we are always fighting and challenging for trophies. That desire and the will to want to win things have not gone.
I'm so lucky to have had the career I've had and play with so many amazing players.
I don't look too far ahead, to be honest.
I have been lucky to win trophies. That is my aim.
I'd like to be a scout, go watch the games, and try and find a diamond in the rough.
I'm definitely playing the best football of my time at Chelsea.
Of course it would be nice to go to another Champions League final and hopefully win it again one day, but for me, the Premier League is the best trophy to have.
I could look back and say I've had a good career.
I'm a normal person. I'm just like you and just like everyone else - I have feelings and thoughts.
I do not fear the pressure to win because I spent 14 years in England always fighting for a starting spot, and that's what I want to continue doing.
English players are probably scared to come abroad. They are in a comfort zone in England: that's where we grew up; that's where we played in youth teams.
When I was a young kid, I never expected to play for Arsenal or England.
When you've got certain people like Jay-Z wanting to work with me, then it makes you think people do love me.
Judge me on how I play football, or judge me on when you meet me.
Of course you don't want to hear racist chants, but sometimes, as a player, you have to take it.
I don't dance! Only when I'm on holiday.
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 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.
I just love football. I've always enjoyed doing it - being outside with my mates, getting really muddy and dirty and smelly. It's something I always loved.
I never think I want to go to another World Cup just to be in the record books again and play in six tournaments or four World Cups. If I am lucky enough to go, I want to go there to fight for my place and win something in an England shirt.
As players, you never make one trophy a priority.
When I used to see things in the newspapers, going onto the pitch was the best way to get away from it.
My best memory was probably scoring a penalty against Manchester United.
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.
I can picture it now, where I grew and me playing in the cage where I used to play. To see what I've achieved and where I've been, the countries I've seen, tournaments I've played in, players I've played against, it's incredible.
To be honest, I don't think I've played bad for England, I've certainly not been as bad as some people say. That criticism has been hard to take. I don't think I've let the country down too many times.
A good coach is good in the management of his men; he gives all of his players the desire to fight until the last.
I've always loved Jay-Z's music and loved what he's done.
I'm proud, privileged, and overwhelmed by how many times I've played for England.
I have made mistakes and just have to live with it, but at the end of the day, I just want to play football.
I love Chelsea. I've been here seven years now, and I'd love to stay here as long as I can.
At the end of the day, I'm human. I'm English - I was born here. Of course I'm a different colour from you, but I'm still human. The main thing is, I'm human - like everyone else. Because I'm a different colour doesn't mean there is a difference.
I watch football sometimes at home, but in my downtime, I play pool with my friends. Darts - I enjoy darts now, and when there is a game not coming up, I enjoy playing golf as well. I'm not very good at golf, but I enjoy being able to relax.
