Transfer talks: Chelsea captain Gary Cahill “likely” to leave club in January

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Emerson of Chelsea celebrates with his teammates and a fan after he scores his sides first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Emerson of Chelsea celebrates with his teammates and a fan after he scores his sides first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

After being unable to break into Maurizio Sarri’s first team, Gary Cahill is “seriously considering” leaving the West London club for regular game time.

The Report

Gary Cahill captained Chelsea to an FA cup victory in May and was with the English national team during the 2018 World Cup. However, this means little to new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, as Cahill has gotten almost no playing time this season for the Blues.

Gary Cahill’s only start of the season came in the most recent Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, where he completed the full 90 minutes. Cahill has confirmed that he will be looking at all his options once the January transfer window opens. His contract also expires next summer, which further puts Cahill’s future with Chelsea in doubt.

Cahill arrived at Chelsea in 2012 after signing from Bolton. He has made nearly 300 appearances for Chelsea and has won two Premier League titles, two FA Cup titles, and one Champions League trophy.

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He has been at the heart of the Chelsea defense for almost this entire decade and has shown necessary versatility to succeed in the Premier League. In 2014/15, Cahill partnered with John Terry to create one of the most defensively solid units in Premier League history.

In 2016/2017, Cahill successfully became apart of Antonio Conte’s revolutionary back three as Chelsea stormed into the title. While Cahill never established himself as one of the great centerbacks in England, he has always been a reliable and dependable defender for both club and country.

What’s Next?

Even if Gary Cahill decides to stay at Chelsea till the end of the season, it seems unlikely that Chelsea will resign him next summer. Several teams will likely jump at the opportunity to sign the experienced defender.

There are reports that Jose Mourinho will look to sign Cahill to shore up his defensive options in January. Several Championship clubs have also been linked with the defender, including Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday.

A player with Cahill’s quality and experience would likely dominate in the second division and several Premier League clubs would be wise to at least investigate in bringing Cahill into their squads.

Chelsea have incredible depth if they are willing to let Cahill go, but it is risky considering his pedigree as a champion in English football. Sarri is trying to change Chelsea from the ground up and there may not be a more foundational player to the modern incarnation of Chelsea than Gary Cahill.