Chelsea’s Ashley Cole has won England’s player of the year award after missing just three games for his nation last year.

Cole was one of the few players to return from the World Cup in South Africa with his reputation intact and continued his form into England’s 2012 qualifiers to leave the likes of Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock and Everton’s Leighton Baines watching on from the sidelines.

The award will come as a surprise to many due to his often strained relationship with England and Premier League opposition fans, but near faultless performances for the Three Lions have not gone unnoticed by fans.

Cole is widely regarded as one the best left-backs in the world and even though he has was once jeered by England fans at Wembley after allegations around his private life, this didn’t stop Cole from topping the online fan poll.

The poll, conducted on the FA’s official website, was topped by Cole with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard second and Manchester City’s Adam Johnson taking a surprise third place.

Cole follows Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard who won the award in 2004 and 2005, and becomes the first ever defender to win the award, which was previously held by Wayne Rooney.As

http://soccerfiesta..com/2011/02/ashley-cole-wins-england-player-of-year.html