UK: SOCCER - Ashley Cole denies his move from Arsenal to Chelsea was motivated by money

England full back Ashley Cole denied on Friday his drawn out and often acrimonious transfer from Arsenal to billionaire-backed Chelsea had been motivated by money. Speaking after his first full training session since joining the champions, Cole said: "I am not a greedy person. I've not come here for the money. I've come here to win things. "It's got nothing to do with money and greed or loyalty." The 25-year-old left back, who grew up an Arsenal fan and had always played for them, has had an awkward relationship with the club hierarchy since he was caught talking secretly to Chelsea 18 months ago in a much-publicised "tapping-up" scandal. He has since said he felt undervalued by Arsenal though he added on Friday he had always had a good relationship with Arsene Wenger. The defender said the transfer would "bring a new lease of life and a new challenge. You'll see a new Ashley Cole," he forecast. Both Cole and his new manager Jose Mourinho said they never believed the transfer, one of the most protracted in Premier League history, would go through. It was eventually concluded, with special permission, well into the small hours of the morning after the transfer deadline had passed last week. Chelsea paid five million pounds ($9.37 million) and sent France defender William Gallas to Arsenal in the deal. Gallas's departure added another bitter twist to the transfer. Chelsea had not wanted the defender to go and his relationship with Mourinho broke down. Club and player then exchanged insults with Chelsea accusing Gallas of threatening to score an own goal and Gallas suggesting Chelsea, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, lacked class and cared only for money. On Friday Mourinho had airbrushed Gallas from the Chelsea picture. "I don't speak about it," the normally outspoken Portuguese coach said. "I don't speak about former players and Gallas is a Chelsea former player." "The deal was to bring Ashley...Until now we had only Wayne Bridge as a left back. We can say now we have the two best left backs in England. How can I not be happy about that?" Cole turned down a possible move to Real Madrid and Mourinho suggested this showed a commitment to Chelsea and English football. "When a player does not go to the best club in the world, to the club of the century and he refuses in order to come to Chelsea it's because he has a feeling for the club and the players. He loves his country and the Premiership." Cole, who married singer Cheryl Tweedy after the World Cup, is also keen to remain in Britain where his wife works. Despite a recent history of ill-feeling between the clubs Mourinho said the transfer talks were carried out very cordially and correctly. "It was a difficult transfer. He has had two days with us but that is enough for him to smell the atmosphere and to have a feeling for his new life." Cole said: "I must fight for my place here. I knew beforehand how hard it would be to get into the team." Mourinho said on Friday that Cole could make his debut at home to Charlton on Saturday. "We have three home games this week so for sure he will make his debut at home," Mourinho said. Chelsea meet Werder Bremen in their Champions League opener on Tuesday and Liverpool on Sept. 17.

ITN Source | September 9, 2006

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