Gary Cahill

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Gary Cahill

Cahill playing for Chelsea in 2012
Personal information
Full nameGary James Cahill[1]
Date of birth (1985-12-19) 19 December 1985[1]
Place of birthDronfield, England
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing positionCentre back
Club information
Current clubChelsea
Number24
Youth career
2000–2004Aston Villa
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004–2008Aston Villa28(2)
2004–2005→ Burnley (loan)27(1)
2007–2008→ Sheffield United (loan)16(2)
2008–2012Bolton Wanderers130(13)
2012–Chelsea53(4)
National team‡
2004–2005England U203(1)
2007England U213(0)
2010–England22(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:44, 4 February 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:47, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

Gary James Cahill /ˈkeɪhɪl/ (born 19 December 1985) is an English footballer, who plays as a central defender for Chelsea and the England national team. Although he usually plays centre back for both club and country, Cahill has been deployed as a right back, left back and defensive midfielder, because of his pace, technical ability, and occasional finishing prowess, with a strength in headers.

Cahill began his career playing for the AFC Dronfield youth set-system in Derbyshire. In 2000, he joined the Aston Villa Academy and continued his development. In 2004 he joined Burnley on a season-long loan, where he performed well before returning to make his Aston Villa debut. Later, he signed for hometown club Sheffield United on a three-month loan deal. On 30 January 2008, he signed for Bolton Wanderers for approximately £5 million. Cahill performed well for Bolton through the years, cementing a place in the first-team and becoming vice-captain. He made 130 league appearances and scored 13 league goals for Bolton. In January 2012, Cahill signed for Chelsea for approximately £7 million. Cahill won the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup in his debut season at Chelsea.

Cahill is an English international. He was eligible to play for either England or the Republic of Ireland, but chose to play for England. On 6 February 2007, he made his under-21 debut for England, coming on as a substitute against Spain. On 4 June 2009, Cahill was called up to the England squad for the match against Kazakhstan. However, he only made his debut on 3 September 2010, coming on as a substitute against Bulgaria. On 29 March 2011, Cahill made his first start for the national team in the friendly against Ghana. He scored his first international goal against Bulgaria in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier.

Childhood team

Gary Cahill was a boyhood Sheffield Wednesday supporter and he "grew up watching Sheffield Wednesday, and points to Des Walker as his childhood hero".[2]

Club career

Early career

Born in Dronfield, Derbyshire,[1] Cahill began his career with AFC Dronfield, a Sunday League team, where he played until he was 15.[3] During his time there, he was scouted by a number of clubs, including Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Aston Villa – whom he signed for as a member of the club's Academy.[4] "All my friends played for the local side, AFC Dronfield, so I went along and started playing centre half and in centre midfield for them," said Cahill in an interview with the Manchester Evening News.[4]

Aston Villa

Cahill previously played for Burnley on loan and during his spell, which began in November 2004, he was handed the accolades of Burnley's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, and scored once in the league, against Stoke City.[5]

He made his impressive Aston Villa debut as a substitute in the 5–0 defeat at Arsenal and impressed on his first start in the local derby game against West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park on 9 April 2006. Just a week later he scored his first goal, an overhead kick against rivals Birmingham City; Villa went on to win the match 3–1.[6] Cahill started the following season injured, but took advantage of an injury to Martin Laursen later in the season to force his way into the first team. He made several appearances for Villa during the 2006–07 season.

On 19 September 2007, Cahill joined Sheffield United on a three-month loan deal.[7] He made his debut in a 3–2 away defeat at Crystal Palace a few days later.[8] Cahill scored his first goal for Sheffield United in a 1–0 win at Stoke City on 10 November 2007.[9] Under the terms of his loan agreement, Cahill returned to Villa Park in mid December 2007 having played sixteen games and scoring two goals.

Speculation surrounded Cahill's future in the January 2008 transfer window, with Birmingham City,[10] Bolton Wanderers and Turkish club Beşiktaş J.K.[11] all reportedly showing an interest.

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers scout Colin Harvey was impressed by Cahill and on 30 January 2008, Cahill joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year deal. On 2 February 2008 Cahill made his league debut for Bolton in their 2–0 victory over Reading.[12] Cahill became a firm favourite at the Reebok Stadium and won the "Best Newcomer" award at the end of the season. In July 2008, he was handed the number 5 shirt by manager Gary Megson, which was previously worn by Abdoulaye Méïté. On 5 October 2008, Cahill scored his first Bolton goal in a 3–1 victory at West Ham United. In August 2009, 18 months after joining Bolton, Cahill signed a new three-year contract with the club.[13][14]

Cahill warming up for Bolton Wanderers in August 2011

Cahill suffered a blood clot in his left arm after a training injury which forced him to pull out of the home game against Fulham on 6 February 2010; he spent the weekend in hospital. The treatment for the ailment meant that he could not play for a number of months.[15] Cahill nonetheless cemented his place at the heart of the Bolton defence in the 2010–11 season, making 36 Premier League appearances and scoring three goals, all of which came at home.[16]

On 13 August 2011, he scored on the opening day of the 2011–12 season against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in a 4–0 victory from 25 yards out in the 45th minute. During December 2011, before the January transfer window, Bolton manager Owen Coyle admitted that Cahill may be sold as his contract will expire at the end of the 2011–12 season. Coyle said: "If he [Cahill] does move, there is no doubt there will be top clubs clamouring for Gary."[17] This led much speculation that Cahill could move to higher-placed clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur, who all showed interest.[18] On 23 December 2011, Coyle confirmed that they had started negotiations with Chelsea about a possible transfer: "Regarding Gary Cahill, there has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea".[19][20] On 30 December 2011, Coyle revealed that they agreed a transfer fee for Cahill with Chelsea and that they could start negotiating personal terms. Coyle said: "We have given Gary's representatives permission to speak to Chelsea."[21][22] Despite being on the brink of joining Chelsea, Cahill played against Wolves[23] and scored Bolton's winner in the 2–1 win against Everton at Goodison Park.[24] On 6 January 2012, Coyle said that Cahill was not going to play in their FA Cup clash as this would leave him cup-tied for Chelsea, as he said: "Gary Cahill will be one of those to miss out on the game."[25][26]

Chelsea

2011–12 season

Cahill playing for Chelsea in 2012

After more than two weeks the clubs had agreed a fee for him, on 16 January 2012 Cahill signed for Chelsea for what was believed to be around the region of £7 million, and the negotiating of personal terms. Cahill took the number 24 shirt.[27] Cahill told the club's official website: "Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can't turn down."[28][29][30] He thanked his former club and their fans saying "This is the right move for me at the right time and I would like to thank everyone at Bolton because I've had a great four years at the football club. My spell with Wanderers has enabled me to break into the England squad, and I would particularly like to thank the fans for their support along the way. I always appreciated their backing.".[31] He was one of Chelsea's unused substitutes in their 1–0 victory in the FA Cup against Queens Park Rangers on 28 January 2012.[32][33] On 5 February, Cahill made his debut for Chelsea in the 3–3 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.[34] On 18 March 2012, he scored his first goal in a Chelsea shirt against Leicester City, in the FA Cup, in a 5–2 win. Cahill scored when he rose above Wes Morgan to head the ball from six yards from a Juan Mata corner, before unveiling the word's "PRAY 4 MUAMBA" on his inner T-shirt, in support of his former Bolton team-mate Fabrice Muamba, who had collapsed in a match the day before.[35] He scored his first league goal for the club in the following game, opening the scoring in a 2–1 away defeat to Manchester City.[36]

Cahill started Chelsea's Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona because of an injury picked up by David Luiz in the 5–1 victory in the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur. The game finished 1–0, with Cahill making some crucial tackles in the second half.[37] In the sixth minute of the Champions League semi-final second leg match against Barcelona, Cahill stretched to win the ball and went down with an hamstring injury. Although, he tried to run it off he eventually he had to be replaced by Jose Bosingwa in the thirteenth minute. Chelsea went on to win 3–2 on aggregate and set up a meeting with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final.[38] He went on to win the 2012 FA Cup.[39] With the suspensions of both defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanović, questions aroused whether Cahill, along with David Luiz, would be fit for the UEFA Champions League final, to fill the gap. On 15 May 2012, he completed his first full training session after three weeks. "We've worked really hard, all day, afternoons, and I'm fortunate enough to be back." he said. "Hopefully, I'll be fit, I will be fit, and hopefully I'll be out there if selected".[40] He started the game, and was part of the team on 19 May 2012, that defeated Bayern Munich on penalties in the UEFA Champions League Final, to give Chelsea their first ever UEFA Champions League trophy win.[41] He received praise for his performance especially, as he was still suffering from the injury sustained during the semi-final second leg.[42] During his first half season at Stamford Bridge, Cahill appeared in 19 games, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 1,596 minutes on the pitch.[43]

2012–13 season

Cahill scored on his first appearance of the season, in a 4–2 win against Reading on 22 August 2012.[44] On 1 September, he scored in the UEFA Super Cup final against Atlético Madrid which Chelsea lost 4–1.[45] On 5 December 2012 Cahill scored his first Champions League goal against Nordsjælland.[46] On 16 December 2012, Cahill was sent-off against Corinthians in Chelsea's 1–0 Club World Cup Final defeat, after a clash with Emerson.[47] On January 2013 Cahill didn't feature in the league game against Stoke for the birth of his son, Leo.[48][49] On 15 May, he started the 2013 UEFA Europa League Final and made a vital last-ditch tackle and clearance in the final moments to ensure that Chelsea won the game 2–1.[50]

International career

Cahill was one of a number of uncapped players in Stuart Pearce's first squad as England U21 coach. He was not chosen to start the match, on 6 February 2007, against Spain. His first under-21 cap for England was the first game at the new Wembley Stadium, where he partnered Anton Ferdinand at the centre of the England defence. His final of four caps came in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, where he made one appearance. Cahill was called up to the England squad for the match against Kazakhstan on 4 June 2009 following the withdrawal of Rio Ferdinand,[3][51] but had to wait over a year for his first cap, until he came on as a second half substitute for Michael Dawson on 3 September 2010 against Bulgaria, in a 4–0 win, at Wembley Stadium.[52] In doing so, he became the first Bolton Wanderers player to play for England since Michael Ricketts in 2002.[53] On 29 March 2011, Cahill made his first start for the national team against Ghana in a friendly that ended 1–1.

Until he played for England he was also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through an Irish grandparent.[54] However, his manager at Bolton and former Ireland international, Owen Coyle has said that Cahill only wanted to represent England.[55]

Cahill (centre) playing for England in 2012 against the Netherlands.

On 2 September 2011, in his first competitive start, Cahill scored his first international goal for England against Bulgaria in the qualifying rounds of UEFA Euro 2012 in the 13th minute.[56] In netting the opening goal, Cahill became the first Bolton Wanderers player to score for England since Ray Parry against Northern Ireland in 1959.[57]

On 29 February 2012, he scored a goal at Wembley against Holland to make the score 1–2, with England eventually losing 2–3.[58]

On 16 May 2012 he was named in new England manager Roy Hodgson's UEFA Euro 2012 squad. On 2 June, during a 1–0 friendly win against Belgium at Wembley, he was pushed by Belgium player Dries Mertens and collided with England goalkeeper Joe Hart, and was ruled out of Euro 2012 with a broken jaw. He was replaced by Liverpool defender Martin Kelly.[59]

Style of play

Cahill is known for his technical ability, powerful heading in defence and attack, volleying, pace and good tackling. The centre back also has an impressive goal-scoring record from defence. Former Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas said of Cahill: "I think his technical attributes are immense and his pace is fantastic as well."

Career statistics

Club

As of 3 February 2014.[60]
Club Season League Cup1 Europe2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Burnley (loan) 2004–05 2715000321
Total 2715000321
Aston Villa
2005–06 71100081
2006–07 2001000210
2007–08 10000010
Total 2812000301
Sheffield United (loan) 2007–08 1620000162
Total 1620000162
Bolton Wanderers
2007–08 1300040170
2008–09 3331000343
2009–10 2955200347
2010–11 3635000413
2011–12 1922100213
Total 130131334014716
Chelsea
2011–12 1014150192
2012–13 26282112456
2013–14 1715050271
Total 534173212919
Career total 2542137525231629
1Includes FA Cup and League Cup.
2Includes UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

International

As of 15 November 2013.
England national team
YearAppsGoals
201010
201161
201261
201390
Total222

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2 September 2011 Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria  Bulgaria
1–0
3–0
 Euro 2012 qualifier
2. 29 February 2012 Wembley Stadium, London, England  Netherlands
1–2
2–3
 Friendly

Honours

Chelsea

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0. 
  2. ↑ "Bolton's Gary Cahill can solve England's centre-back crisis". People (People.co.uk). 15 January 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "From Dronfield to England for thrilled ex-Blade". Sheffield Star. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2011. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Baxter, Trevor (5 May 2011). "Bolton's wanted man Gary Cahill goes back to his roots". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 3 September 2011. 
  5. ↑ "Stoke 0–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 3 January 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2009. 
  6. ↑ "Aston Villa 3–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 16 April 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2009. 
  7. ↑ "Blades complete Cahill loan deal". BBC Sport. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2007. 
  8. ↑ "Crystal Palace 3–2 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2007. 
  9. ↑ "Stoke 0–1 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2007. 
  10. ↑ "Birmingham thwarted in double bid". BBC Sport. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2008. 
  11. ↑ "Besiktas move for Majstorovic". Sky Sports. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008. 
  12. ↑ Vickers, Steve (2 February 2008). "Reading 0–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2008. 
  13. ↑ "Gary Cahill signs Bolton contract extension". The Guardian (London). 10 August 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2011. 
  14. ↑ "Cahill agrees new Bolton contract". BBC Sport. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2011. 
  15. ↑ "Gary Cahill injury blow". BBC Sport. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Bolton Squad Summary Season 2010/11". WhoScored.com. 
  17. ↑ "Cahill Transfer". BBC Sport. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011. 
  18. ↑ "Owen Coyle keen on quick Gary Cahill sale to Chelsea". BBC Sport. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012. 
  19. ↑ "Chelsea step up pursuit of Bolton defender Gary Cahill". BBC Sport. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011. 
  20. ↑ "Chelsea in Cahill talks". Sky Sports. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011. 
  21. ↑ "Chelsea agree fee with Bolton for defender Gary Cahill". BBC Sport. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  22. ↑ "AVB reveals Cahill issues". Sky Sports. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  23. ↑ "Bolton 1–1 Wolverhampton". BBC Sport. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011. 
  24. ↑ "Everton 1–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012. 
  25. ↑ "Coyle – Cahill deal is close". Sky Sports. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012. 
  26. ↑ "Gary Cahill Chelsea deal in next 48 hours – Bolton boss Owen Coyle". BBC Sport. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012. 
  27. ↑ "Football: Gary Cahill Completes Transfer to Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers". The Global Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  28. ↑ "Gary Cahill's move from Chelsea to Bolton completed". BBC Sport. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  29. ↑ "Cahill Signs". Chelsea F.C. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  30. ↑ "Gary Cahill finally completes move to Chelsea". ESPN Soccernet. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  31. ↑ "Wanderers Confirm Cahill Transfer". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012. 
  32. ↑ "QPR 0–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012. 
  33. ↑ "Chelsea Gary Cahill ready for debut against OPR". Daily Mirror (London). 26 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012. 
  34. ↑ "Chelsea vs Manchester United". 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  35. ↑ "Chelsea 5–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012. 
  36. ↑ "Man City 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012. 
  37. ↑ "Drogba leads Chelsea to impressive victory". The Irish Times (irishtimes). 18 April 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012. 
  38. ↑ "Chelsea stun European champions Barcelona in Nou Camp to reach Champions League final". The Daily Telegraph (telegraph). 24 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012. 
  39. ↑ "Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012. 
  40. ↑ "Cahill – I will be fit". Sky Sports. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  41. ↑ "Chelsea 1–1 Bayern Munich (aet,4–3 pens)" BBC Sport. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  42. ↑ "Gary Cahill comes of age" Express.co.uk. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  43. ↑ http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2832944,00.html
  44. ↑ "Chelsea 4–2 Reading" BBC Sport. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  45. ↑ "Chelsea 1–4 Atletico Madrid" BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  46. ↑ "MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 6 FC NORDSJAELLAND 1" ChelseaFC.com . 5 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  47. ↑ "Chelsea's Gary Cahill blames Emerson for Club final red card". BBC Sport. 16 December 2012. 
  48. ↑ "Yeah baby! Cahill misses Stoke win as partner gives birth to boy ... but what will they call it?". Daily Mail. 12 January 2013. 
  49. ↑ "Cahill's baby joy before Bridge return". chelseafc.com. 15 Jan 2013. 
  50. ↑ "Benfica 1-2 Chelsea" BBC Sport. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  51. ↑ "Rio out of England squad". Sky Sports. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009. 
  52. ↑ "England 4–0 Bulgaria". BBC Sport. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010. 
  53. ↑ "Cahill gets England cap". The Bolton News. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010. 
  54. ↑ Liam Chronnell (24 October 2009). "Gary Cahill could get Republic of Ireland chance". Lancashire Telegraph (Blackburn). Retrieved 2 March 2012. 
  55. ↑ Ley, John (23 August 2010). "West Ham United and Avram Grant braced for another winter of discontent". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2 March 2012. 
  56. ↑ "Bulgaria 0–3 England". BBC Sport. 2 September 2011. 
  57. ↑ http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2440170,00.html
  58. ↑ "England 2–3 Netherlands". BBC Sport (BBC). 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  59. ↑ "Euro 2012: Gary Cahill ruled out with fractured jaw" BBC Sport. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  60. ↑ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=40093
  61. ↑ "Davo Wins Top Award". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009. 

External links

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