Ryan Bertrand – the next Ashley Cole?

No transfer fees, no transfer saga, the 22 year old has been a Chelsea player since his youth days and was promoted to the first team during the Ancelotti era despite making very brief appearances, although getting an assist in one of them – a home victory against Birmingham in Ancelotti’s final season. Most Chelsea fans as well as the staff at the club have been feeling he would be Ashley Cole’s eventual replacement, although the current ageing left back is showing no signs of slowing down which Bertrand feels is somewhat hindering his progress. Despite that, the 22 year old has also admitted that he has been learning plenty on the training ground and from the bench. His time, as the first choice alongside JT, will soon come.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Chelsea

Ryan has made numerous appearances as a starter and substitute under Di Matteo, the most notable one being in the Champions League final in Munich, although playing on the left of midfield. He has been assigned that role several times this season already to help Cole from threat on the right wing. He finally scored his first senior goal in the Capital One Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers a few weeks ago.

Now that Cole is just short of 100 caps for his country, Hodgson has not hesitated in giving Ryan a debut, in a friendly with Italy in Switzerland, which the Three Lions won 2-1. His and Cole’s playing styles are similar, so for the club and the fans, he certainly looks like a promising prospect to become our next Ashley Cole.

While Cole is on the final year of his contract and negotiations over a new one still ongoing, young Ryan has recently committed himself to Chelsea for another 5 years. It remains to be seen whether Ashley will be let go in the summer, mainly depending on his consistency on the pitch.