Ashley Cole clarifies 'beach' comments before LA Galaxy debut

One month away from making his competitive debut for the LA Galaxy, full-back Ashley Cole has been forced to defend comments from 2014 that mentioned the North American top flight in a negative light.

The former Arsenal standout shared his thoughts on the MLS when he joined Roma from Chelsea in 2014, saying he wasn't "ready to relax on a beach yet."

Cole was forced to defend the comments again on Friday, saying that the quote was authentic, but taken out of context.

"I'm not going to come here and try to defend myself," Cole told reporters. "It was said. It was for sure taken out of content because I was talking to the reporter before, and he kind of said it to me, 'We're glad to have you at Roma, we didn't expect you to be here, we thought you'd go relax on the beach.'

"In the interview, I've said it, yes. It's come out my mouth, but of course you have to understand that I was at a new team and I have to kind of tell the fans that at Roma I was here to fight, I was there to influence and play in the Champions League in Europe."

Certain to have to labour to become a fan favorite, Cole also faces the obstacle of besting Galaxy darling Robbie Rogers for the left-back position under Bruce Arenas.

"Of course, I hold my hands up. It was said. I have to deal with it," he said. "I hope I can kind of change the views of me coming here."

Having backtracked from his comments, Cole added that he hasn't taken the level of play lightly, following conversations with fellow Premier League-cum-MLS players Frank Lampard, Robbie Keane, and Steven Gerrard.

"I've spoken to them on many occasions (about) how difficult it is. I spoke to the manager how difficult it is with the traveling, the demands of the game over here. I know its going to be hard for me for sure," Cole said.

"But I'm happy to be here. I'm going to work as hard as I can, change a few views of me being here, and we'll see."