By Chris Wright

Here’s a little stat for you: Ashley Cole has started in every single one of his 99 England games to date and, given that he’s all set to win his 100th cap by starting against Brazil tonight, we have to mark that as a truly momentous achievement.

Is he England’s greatest ever left-back? Yes. Altogether better and a more rounded player than Stuart Pearce and for far longer (even Stuart Pearce says so), and there isn’t really another name that draws comparison: Eddie Hapgood, Roger Byrne, Ray Wilson, Kenny Sansom, Graeme Le Saux? We’d argue that Cole comfortably pips them all.

Here’s to you Ashley, well played mate (click for the full-sized images)…

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Italy 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon saves Ashley Cole's penalty during the shoot-out at the Euro 2012 quarter-final stage (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader).

Always end on a high!

(Photos: PA)

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