Gary Cahill

[LAM09 6,754]

I personally don't see him getting back into the starting XI anytime soon, and rightly so.

He had been underperforming for a considerable amount of time, and Zouma has taken the chance with both hands (I know it's still early days).

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Wasn't that last season where he was easily one of the best CBs and most improved players in the PL. Sure hes not great but when we rolled our sleeves up, sat off and made it hard to break us down, he was more than reliable when needed, big games against City x2, Liverpool, PSG, Arsenal last season come to mind in particular as well as various other appearances in his Chelsea career. I've said it before hes nowhere near world class but you can't say when he was called upon in the big games for Chelsea and he didn't deliver, you'd be lying. Everyone goes through a tough spell, nothing is easy for any footballer every week. People who were saying he isn't good enough this year were saying last season he was easily one of the most improved players in the PL. Just wait for the week Zouma makes a mistake and everyone will be giving him the same treatment as Cahill.

Cahill is still a good defender. He has the occasional backing off against players running at him but he's good enough in other aspects.

The problem is with our system of play, we can't play with two slow centerbacks and expect to be solid defensively. There will always be problems when both centerbacks are slow. The faster one goes into more challenges because he can recover if he misstimes a tackle while the slower CB stays back. But when both are slow, one ball over the top and clear chances created unless they are defending deep.

[manpe 10,861]

Having trusted Zouma for 120 minutes against Liverpool and then a few days later against Citeh I'll be shocked if Jose drops him now.

Yes, defence is the line Mourinho is least likely to rotate in two consecutive BIG matches. Nearly impossible unless there are fitness concerns. The players who play in these games, are his best and most trusted ones - in one word starters. That's why I would be surprised if Cahill somehow appeared ahead of Zouma again.

[Svita 10 186]

Handled game very well, but nobody from you say something, because you are just waiting for his mistake....its all same in Oscar thread. Idiotic and childish

[BlueLion. 21,491]

dafuq, he actually put in a good performance.

He knows he has to after Zouma's performances against two very good teams.

Handled game very well, but nobody from you say something, because you are just waiting for his mistake....its all same in Oscar thread. Idiotic and childish

Are you his mum or something?

[didierforever 7,349]

good game. dealt well with agbanlahor. he definitely needed some time off. had started almost every game for england and chelsea since a looong time.

[yuvala 2,167]

Not surprised..

Yes he's been pretty bad lately but he isn't such a terrible player like some of you make him to be. I prefer Zouma ofc, but Cahill can do for such games.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

Tbh this is not a good game to judge if Cahill has recovered from his awful performances this season since Aston Villa have the worst attack in the Premier League(At least on paper.) That being said, he did put in a solid performance and didn't make a mistake when the team was under pressure.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Being praised for playing alright against the worst attack in the league... Who didn't score in 11 hours of football before this... Okay then.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

At fault for the first goal, nearly gifted Ibra the 2nd by backing off like a dumbass, but he will avoid criticism because of his flick assist.

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

If this dude plays in the return leg we are fucked.

[obiwan92 217]

Zouma is ready. More ready than this guy. He needs a proper bench to teach him to stop slacking.

Think about how many points we would have gotten from BPL and how much easier this would have been if it weren't for his mistakes.

[Madmax 9,219]

People who like to make a big deal of the whole English representation issue do realise we have the *gasp* England vice-captain in the squad, right?

Cannot wait for him to be packed off this summer. Just go away, man.

[lucio 5,418]

Zouma fucked over again. Why can't he play away games.

Cahill gets torn to shreds by Frazer campbell , let's not play him vs zlatan and cavani. Ship him to the championship.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Zouma

Zouma

Zouma

Zouma

Zouma

[obiwan92 217]

I think Cahill is fine, he needs a long bench though.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I thought he played okay in truth. Okay he lost Cavani for the goal but the whole defence fell asleep, hence why no-one turned around screaming and forming an inquest. The whole defence went to sleep, you can't pinpoint Cahill. Other than that he barely put a foot wrong.

[Special Juan 27,430]

Shouldn't of even fucking been on the pitch.