Cole: I chose Chelsea over Real Madrid

New Chelsea signing Ashley Cole admits he could easily have joined Real Madrid over the summer.
 
He said: "Before I went to the World Cup I spoke to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. He asked me where I would like to go and I told him I would rather concentrate on the World Cup."

"I was told after the World Cup there were a couple of clubs interested. Among them Real Madrid and Chelsea. I chose Chelsea and I'm happy to be here. Two or three days before the transfer window, Chelsea came in with their final bid and I'm here now."

"Chelsea have won the League for two years' running and have a great captain in JT [Terry] as well as a lot of English-based players. They are a very ambitious team with the players they have brought in like Shevchenko and Ballack. Hopefully coming here, I can win more medals and the Champions' League."

"The England players made it easier for my decision. I play with JT, Lamps, Wayne, Joe Cole and Shaun, so that did influence my decision a little bit more."