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Cole named England's player of the year

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 7, 2011
Ashley Cole has been named England's player of the year © PA Photos
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Chelsea's Ashley Cole has been named England's Player of the Year for 2010 - the first defender to win the award.

Cole, who will draw level with Kenny Sansom - on 86 caps - to become his country's most-capped full-back if he faces Denmark on Wednesday, was the stand-out performer in a year in which few England players merited such an award.

England fans voted for the award on the FA's website, with Steven Gerrard placed second and Adam Johnson - who had only played six minutes of international football before the start of this season - in third. Despite Johnson only having six England caps, and only two of those being starts, he scored in European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Forty-four players were used by coach Fabio Capello in 2010, with Cole featuring in nine of the 12 fixtures played and starting all his country's competitive games.

PAST PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2009: Wayne Rooney
2008: Wayne Rooney
2007: Steven Gerrard
2006: Owen Hargreaves
2005: Frank Lampard
2004: Frank Lampard
2003: David Beckham

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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