Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has hailed the impact of Ashley Cole since he arrived at Stadio Olimpico.
The experienced former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back joined in 2014 having won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and the Champions League.
But the 34-year-old’s debut campaign in Serie A hasn’t exactly gone to plan. Cole made just 11 league appearances for the Giallorossi last season and three more in the Champions League; one of which saw him hauled off at half-time of an eventual 7-1 home humiliation by Bayern Munich.
He’s always trying to cheer up the lads. He makes everybody laugh out loud when he tries to speak Italian. Hi accent is so funny!
Nevertheless, Belgium international Nainggolan - who has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent months - only has good things to say about the Englishman, whose attempts to speak Italian apparently keep the squad in good spirits.
Speaking exclusively in the July 2015 of FourFourTwo - out now - Nainggolan says: “Ashley is such a great guy! We’ve become good friends.
“He’s had a wonderful career and has nothing left to prove, but he’s so modest. And he’s always trying to cheer up the lads. He makes everybody laugh out loud when he tries to speak Italian. Hi accent is so funny!”
Read the full interview with Radja Nainggolan in the July 2015 issue of FourFourTwo, in which Neymar tells us how he plans to reboot Brazil. Also in the magazine: Gary Lineker answers your One-on-One questions, 33 reasons why the Copa America will be better than the World Cup are revealed, and five Blighty-born boys who have already flown west to the MLS describe what Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can expect Stateside. Plus, Women's World Cup and U21 Euros previews and Performance tips from James Milner, Ryan Bertrand and Asmir Begovic. Available in print, on iPad and iPhone now. Subscribe!
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
