Player Focus: Cole's Italian Job Not Panning Out as Planned at Roma
"I have no problem whatsoever with (Ashley) Cole. He remains an important player for us," Roma head coach Rudi Garcia stated last month. The Frenchman’s words came after reports suggested the pairing had fallen out, with Cole subsequently linked with a move away from Italy’s capital this month.
While Garcia is unlikely to sanction the sale of the experienced defender in January due to a lack of options in the transfer market, Cole is currently not part the 50-year-old's first team plans in Rome. Cole has not featured in a Roma shirt since the 2-1 win at Atalanta back in November. Of his 8 Serie A starts this season, his performance at the Stadio Atleti Azzuri d’Italia was deemed his worst according to WhoScored, with the 34-year-old earning a rating of just 6.46. Cole had been held personally responsible by many in the media for Maximiliano Moralez’s strike in the opening minute after Cristian Raimondi had forced his way past the defender all too easily before pulling back for the Argentine to net. Fortunately for the ex-England international, goals from Adem Ljajic and Radja Nainggolan secured the 3 points for Roma that day.
Garcia has since preferred fellow summer arrival José Holebas at left-back in the 8 competitive games following Cole’s subpar performance in Bergamo. "Holebas is also playing well and helping the team," Garcia added when pressed on Cole's situation in December. The Greek is unlikely to be dropped any time soon following his recent outings for the Giallorossi - Holebas’ performances against Udinese and Roma saw him gain a place in WhoScored’s latest European team of the week, with his first and only assist of the season leading to Francesco Totti’s second half equaliser in Sunday’s Rome Derby. The Greece international also has a goal to his name having netted in the 4-2 league win over Inter in November.
The same cannot be said of Cole, who is yet to score or register an assist for the Italian title contenders. With Garcia demanding his full-backs provide a further attacking threat from deep in his 4-3-3 formation, the lacklustre attacking threat Cole has provided so far is cause for concern. Roma boast a strength of 'attacking down the wings', but the former Chelsea man is certainly not pulling his weight. Cole has attempted just 8 crosses in his 8 league starts this term and failed to find a teammate with any of them. Comparatively, Holebas has attempted 35 crosses in 10 Serie A starts, 1 of which led to Totti's goal against Lazio. Averaging a commendable 1.4 successful dribbles per game, Holebas is able to beat his man before putting the ball in the box, something Cole is struggling to do.
From an offensive perspective, one can see why Garcia is persisting with Holebas in his starting XI. The former Olympiakos man has clearly adapted to the gameplan of his manager quicker than Cole, while Holebas' overall contribution has helped him gain a better WhoScored rating in Serie A this season (7.32) than Cole (6.94). Age is evidently having an adverse effect on his impact in Italy - at 34, Cole does not have the legs to attack as freely as he did with Arsenal and Chelsea. In the twilight of his career, adapting to the demands of a new manager in a new country could be considered a bridge too far for him.
In a league where the style of play is generally slower and more focus is placed on defensive organisation than in England, Cole is struggling to impose himself offensively. Roma are averaging more possession (61.7%) than any team in Serie A this season, meaning defensively, Cole is no longer called into action as frequently as he was in the Premier League (2.2 tackles per league game last season has dropped to 1.4). When under the cosh, though, Garcia prefers his defence to remain compact and not break rank, so his reading of the game has been a welcomed asset at the Olimpico (1.2 interceptions per league match last term is up to 2.4).
However, it’s the defensive discipline of Italian teams that has hindered Cole when he does push forward. Granted, the solidity at the back means only defending champions Juventus (9) have conceded fewer goals in Serie A this season than Roma (13), but Cole’s impact has lessened for Roma compared to his final season for Chelsea. His average of 0.1 successful dribbles and 0.3 key passes per game have both fallen from 0.5 and 1, respectively.
Adjusting to a new league is easier said than done and while Cole has not necessarily failed in Italy, he has under performed when compared to his previously high standards. With Holebas excelling at left-back, Cole will have to wait for his chance to regain a starting berth in the Roma first team, should the opportunity arise. However, with the curtain set to come down on his career sooner rather than later, the left-back may be wise to cut his losses in Rome and accept his Italian job has not quite gone to plan.
Do you think Ashley Cole should stick at it with Roma or look to end his time in Italy sooner rather than later? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
