• Champions League

Chelsea exit was amicable - Cole

ESPN staff
September 30, 2014
Garcia: City have more to lose

Ashley Cole claims his exit from Chelsea was amicable but admitted he never expected to face former team-mate Frank Lampard.

Cole will return to England for the first time since leaving Stamford Bridge when Manchester City host his new side Roma in Tuesday's Champions League clash.

The defender spent eight years playing alongside Lampard at Chelsea before both moved on to pastures new last summer, with the latter joining City on loan from New York City.

"I don't think Chelsea were wrong [to let us go] - a decision was made, I'm fine with it," Cole said. "I had eight great years there and I am really enjoying a new challenge. I'm loving Italy.

"I never expected to play against him [Lampard]. Everyone knows what Lampard brings to any team - he's a great experienced player who scores goals.

"He even scored against Chelsea - they probably didn't like that and probably a little bit disappointing for him to score as well. He's a professional and he has to do a job and that is scoring goals."

Cole says the pressure is on City to beat Roma at the Etihad Stadium or risk facing Champions League misery. Victory for Roma would mean consecutive defeats in Europe for Manuel Pellegrini's side and leave a mountain to climb.

Cole said: "If we win it will make it more difficult for them to catch up and will probably make us top of the group and in good stead for us qualifying - but it's going to be a tough game and we don't want to look too far ahead."

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