Thierry Henry and Roy Keane s debate over Ashley Cole, left Henry stunned

A recent discussion between footballing icons Thierry Henry and Roy Keane ignited a passionate debate over the enduring legacy of former Arsenal and Chelsea star, Ashley Cole. Henry, a legendary figure at Arsenal, was visibly stunned by Keane's assessment, strongly asserting that Cole's status within the game remains unfairly underappreciated, particularly in England.

Henry minced no words in his praise for Cole, declaring on the Stick to Football podcast, "I don't understand why in this country, he doesn't get respect. Ashley Cole was outstanding." He passionately argued for Cole's brilliance, recalling his early impact in 2000 when, on loan at Crystal Palace, he played as a winger and helped save them from relegation.

Henry highlighted Cole's unique ability as a left-back to dribble past opposing wingers, thereby creating crucial space for teammates like Robert Pires and himself.

Henry: 'He opened everything'

"He opened everything," Henry emphasized, "I would be dumb not to find a situation where I would be alone because the midfielder had to shuffle across... He started everything." For Henry, Cole transcended mere competency: "Ashley Cole for me, there is a battle for him not to be the best left back I have ever seen. Going forward, defending, the desire, what he won, and where he won it."

Keane: 'He doesn't spring to my mind...'

However, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane delivered a response that visibly stunned Henry. "I think he [Ashley Cole] was a brilliant player but when you talk about great left backs, he doesn't spring to my mind," Keane remarked. A bewildered Henry pressed for clarification: "But why not? Why is he not even in the discussion at time, why don't you hear his name?"

The conversation then veered towards the controversial nature of Cole's departure from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006 as a potential factor in this perception. The transfer saw Cole move to Stamford Bridge in exchange for £5 million and French defender William Gallas. The contentious saga included Cole being photographed meeting Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon while still under contract with Arsenal, leading to a £100,000 fine (later reduced to £75,000) for breaching Premier League rules.

In his 2006 autobiography, "My Defence," Cole famously wrote of nearly crashing his car and "trembling with anger" upon learning Arsenal was only willing to offer him £55,000 per week.

Henry, however, came to Cole's defense regarding the contract dispute, revealing an untold side of the story. He asserted that former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein had apologized to Cole for going back on an initial agreement. "Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man, I don't care what people say," Henry insisted. "At the time he did not want to say what happened, but Mr [David] Dein has since apologised. They shook hands on something and then they came back with something else. I understood Ashley, but why don't people get the respect for what he has done."

Cole's remarkable career achievements undeniably cement his place among the game's elite. He lifted two Premier League titles with Arsenal, including the historic "Invincibles" season, before adding another Premier League crown with Chelsea in 2010. His trophy cabinet also boasts four FA Cups and, crucially, a pivotal role in Chelsea's maiden Champions League triumph in 2012. Last year, in recognition of his stellar career, Cole was deservedly inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame.

Over 385 Premier League appearances, he boasted a 62 percent win rate, contributed to 147 clean sheets, scored 15 goals, and provided 31 assists, showcasing his immense ability at both ends of the pitch. He also earned 107 caps for the English national team. Despite the lingering public debate fueled by his controversial transfer, Ashley Cole is widely regarded as the Premier League's greatest left-back of all time.