SoccerBible sat down for a one-on-one interview with Chelsea and England left back Ashley Cole at the launch of the new Nike Seitiro ball at London's iconic Niketown store. Ashley shared his thoughts on the revolutionary new official Premier League ball, his Tiempo Legend boots, and who is the best woman he knows...
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SoccerBible: Some people say that all footballs are the same, what do you say to them?
Ashley Cole: That it's not true. If you look at the balls in previous seasons, the technology in the new Seitiro is totally different.
If you ask every player who has trained with it, I think they would say this is the best ball we've had. You can do more with the ball. You can get more swerve and more power – even little guys like me can generate more power than with previous balls.
Hopefully it is going to improve the Premier League and we'll see some amazing goals.
SB: How long does it take to get used to a new ball?
AC: We've been training with it for three weeks. I think that's how long it takes to get to know what you can do with it. We're improving our skills with the ball and are confident with it.
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SB: What were your first impressions of the design of the ball?
AC: Great! Every year, Nike updates the graphics and I like the new colours. It stands out – if you can see the ball earlier you have an advantage.
SB: You're wearing Nike Tiempo Legends this season, what do you make of them?
AC: Without a doubt. It's a great boot. The leather is very soft and it moulds to your feet. There's no breaking-in period or blisters.
SB: Do you like the colours?
AC: I've always liked bright boots. With these, you get classic black leather and the bright orange laces and there's another matching orange stripe on the back.
SB: Are they comfortable?
AC: The most important thing for a professional is to be comfortable. Your feet need to feel free and able to feel the ball. If you feel the ball you have a better touch. In other boots with harder leather, you can't feel the ball as well.
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SB: What do you notice about how boot technology has improved?
AC: Ten or 15 years ago, the leather felt more like plastic. Back in the day it was just black leather, now there are much more exciting colours on the market.
SB: Did you ever as a trainee clean senior professionals boots?
AC: I used to clean Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn's boots at Arsenal! They were wing backs, too. Now, I normally clean my own boots.
SB: Moving on to your Chelsea team-mates, who has the most powerful shot?
AC: It has to be Alex, if he shoots you need to move out the way or it might take your head off.
SB: Who is the best pass master?
AC: Frank Lampard. But we've got young Josh McEachran breaking in to the first team. In time, I
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think he will be up there with some great players.
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SB: Deadliest finisher?
AC: Didier Drogba
SB: Fastest player?
AC: Nicolas Anelka
SB: Who has the best tricks?
AC: Daniel Sturridge
SB: What are your ambitions for the new season?
AC: To regain the Premier League title and hopefully win the Champions League.
SB: Who is the best player you've faced in the Premier League?
AC: Cristiano Ronaldo
SB: You had him in your pocket a few times...
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AC: Yeah, but he did me a few times as well. It's probably about even.
SB: Were you relieved to see him move to play in La Liga for Real Madrid?
AC: Yes in the sense that he was one of the best players for of our rivals Man Utd and he scored a lot of goals for them. But you miss playing against players like that – he brought so much to the Premier League with the skills he's got and the kind of goals he scored.
SB: What were your first ever boots?
AC: When I was eight or nine years old, I wore Quasers. You don't hear much about that boot any more. Gary Lineker used to wear them!
SB: How many pairs of boots do you get through in a season?
AC: I wear moulds for training and studs for matches. I get through three pairs of each in a season.
SB: What are you most proud of in your career to date?
AC: Winning the Premier League title and getting 87 England caps. It's an honour to play for your country and I want to play for as long as I can and get as many caps as I can.
SB: What are your hobbies away from football?
AC: I enjoy golf. It's a chance for quiet time with my friends, but I'm not very good.
SB: Who's your hero outside of football?
AC: My mum. She's the best. I wouldn't be here without her.
The Nike Total 90 Seitiro is the new official ball for the Premier League season 2011-12; tested, developed and used by the best players in the world, for the best league in the world. You can see our full review of the ball by clicking here, and stay tuned for more SoccerBible interviews coming your way! Share your thoughts with the SoccerBible community online, on Twitter and on Facbeook.