Transfers that shook the world: Ashley Cole to Chelsea

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to the summer of 2006, and a saga that saw rival lines crossed from the North to West of London as Ashley Cole traded boyhood club Arsenal for rising force Chelsea.

So why was the acrimonious move considered such a betrayal? And how did the deal signify a power shift in capital as the blue side of London rose to prominence?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Simon Johnson & James McNicholas

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• No. of episodes: 1,125
• Latest episode: 2025-08-01
• Sports

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