The Cahill Factor

Article by Stephen Attridge

I've got to be honest. I've seen Gary Cahill play many games during his career and being an Aston Villa fan I've seen him from quite a young age and I never believed he would play for England. Cahill will now be regarded as shocking business for Aston Villa having sold him for around £2m then a couple of seasons later he went to Chelsea for... Er... about £20m.

The truth is we never quite saw it coming. I just didn't think he was strong enough in the air for a centre half. In fact Liam Ridgewell who was at Villa at the time was far better at winning headers (although he had no pace and dived in).

Cahill was always, however, a good footballer. He wasn't your typical centre half; he could score overhead kicks, and do a step over. He looked as comfortable, actually, more comfortable in the opposition penalty area than his own. I did wonder if he would end up being a midfielder, a holding player at least.

These are, however, exactly the reasons why it's working for him at international level. The games changed, a Tony Adams style defender is all very well but if we are going to get anywhere near nibble South American forwards we need defenders who are as athletic as the players they are facing.

Also with the heat so often being a factor in World Cup competitions we need defenders that can win the ball and then keep it to give us a chance fitness wise. Ashley Cole, I've said before is our best player and has been for around 10 years. The guys an athlete; as quick as any forward, can keep the ball, is a threat going forwards and is full of self confidence. These are the type of players who thrive at international level.

The fact that we are giving Cahill and Jagielka a good run if games is the best thing we can do. Look at the Germans. They keep the same group of players together for as long as possible. You need familiarity around you in pressure situations.

Even if Cahill has a shocker in the next friendly I think we should run with the partnership leading into the World Cup he could turn out to be a real star next summer. He's an athlete.

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