It’s little surprise that Andy Cole ever played with largely consists of Manchester United players, but there was still space for former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell.

Speaking to Sky Sports Cole, who also played for Newcastle United and England when at the top of his game, was choosing an XI made of the best players he ever played alongside and named Campbell in the heart of his defence alongside former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam.

“I played with Sol for England numerous times and we got on very, very well,” Cole said. “He was difficult to play against, strong and pace in abundance. He wanted to defend. Always had a tough battle against him and then had a laugh and joke with him.”

Campbell made it as the only non-Manchester United player in Cole’s defence and one of just two in the entire team, along with Peter Beardsley.

It must help the former England defender’s case that he often played against Cole rather than with him, meaning the striker knows exactly how tough he was to play against. Campbell made the switch from Spurs to Arsenal after Cole had already passed his finest years, meaning his battles against Sol as a Gunner would’ve been even tougher.

Andy Cole’s XI: Schmeichel; Neville, Stam, Campbell, Irwin; Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs; Beardlsey, Yorke.