Veteran Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has indicated that he is unhappy at being left on the bench for the Blues this season.
The 32-year-old has yet to make a single appearance for the Blues this season and has not played since Maurizio Sarri was appointed as the club’s new manager during the summer.
Cahill joined the Blues in 2012 after establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League while on the books of Bolton Wanderers. He has since gone on to make 282 appearances in all competitions for the Stamford Bridge giants and scored 25 goals.
The England international has fallen below the likes of Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz and Andreas Christensen in the club’s pecking order. His contract is set to expire at the end of this season and it is very unlikely that the club will offer him a new deal.
Cahill will likely be allowed to leave the club in January unless Sarri experiences a defensive injury crisis. Cahill may be past his prime but he could still have a few good years of football left in him and it will surely be hurting him to watch games from the stands. Due to Chelsea’s current form, it is hard to ever see him regaining a place within the starting xi on a regular basis.
He could still, however, be of benefit to a mid-table club in one of the top European Leagues, a top Championship club or could opt to play in the MLS or Asia if he has given up hope of ever playing for England again.
While reflecting on the current situation, Cahill admitted that things are ‘difficult’ and added that he could be headed for the exit door in January.
As reported by TalkSport, he said: “I don’t want to jump the gun, but as things stand at this time, probably, yes (I’ll have to leave in January). For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult. I realise sometimes football doesn’t wait for people. Sometimes you have to make those decisions to keep going and progressing.
“Obviously the most important thing is the club. But I have to look at my situation. I have to take charge of my own future. And if I’m sat doing what I’m doing at this moment in time, I just hope that the club will respect that when it comes to the time.”
