Gary Cahill

[Santiago. 1,500]

ILLAS-BOAS: DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

Posted on: Wed 01 Feb 2012

Andre Villas-Boas has spoken about his decision not to hand Gary Cahill his debut in our 1-1 draw against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

With John Terry missing the game through injury, there was an expectation from some that our new signing would play alongside David Luiz at the heart of the Blues defence, but the manager admitted our recent run of form had been behind the idea to keep Cahill on the bench.

'We have found solidarity defensively recently,' he said. 'The team has been playing well so we decided not to change it tonight.

'Of course he [Cahill] has the quality to come straight in but we didn't want to change the dynamic of the team tonight.

'This pairing [ivanovic and David Luiz] has been used before and I decided to stick with it for this game, I spoke to Gary about my decision and it was taken well by him.'

Having dominated possession in the second half, a last minute own-goal secured a much needed point for the Blues in an eventful match which also saw Ashley Cole dismissed with five minutes remaining, ruling him out of the game against Manchester United this weekend.

The manager, though, believes that we could have gone on to take all three points from the game if we had capitalised on our domination slightly earlier.

'We created chances through crosses mainly, but our efficiency to finish those crosses wasn't there, mainly due to occupation of the spaces. We managed to get a lot of set plays but Swansea defended well,' he said.

Fernando Torres drew another blank in front of goal, a year to the day from when he signed for the club, but while his current drought now stands at 17 league games, confidence and belief, says the manager, is not a problem for the Spaniard.

'It's taking him time, but the confidence is there and we believe in the player so it is important we persist,' said Villas Boas.

'He helped the team today with his movement, lay-offs and passing, but we need to create more opportunities for him.

'Torres and Didier compete for the striking places, and we know Drogba's significance to this team, but when he returns he will bring extra competition for both Torres and Lukaku, but it will be a big plus for the team.'

http://www.chelseafc...2596412,00.html

[termninja 5,290]

He did well today. A huge game with a lot of pressure while playing in our shaky defense for the first time. I liked him while he played for Bolton and now I like him even more when he's our player

[Hamilton 2,120]

Indeed good debut, future leader probs..

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Third goal....

[Ollie 4,400]

What a game to make your debut in, coulda been sent off but was definitely acting like the captain. He will be our next captain. This game will spur him on now, he is now a Chelsea player. The 3rd goal was Luiz's fault imo, statuesque defending, let him go.

[Hamilton 2,120]

Wasn't Luiz closest to Hernandez? And Ivanovic could have put much more pressure on Giggs to prevent the cross imo..

[LDN Blue 7,903]

What a game to make your debut in, coulda been sent off but was definitely acting like the captain. He will be our next captain. This game will spur him on now, he is now a Chelsea player.

He defends similarly to JT. Diving headers and trying to inspire something, like that last kick with De Gea saved. We have 2 attacking, ball comfortable centre backs in Cahill & Luiz.

[manpe 10,861]

well, when I first turned on my stream, I thought it was Terry playing... only to see it's a 24 not a 26. Their style is so similar. He is in contention to vote for MotM, simply because it felt like he had been playing for us ages, and the shot at the end was oh so close.

[termninja 5,290]

well, when I first turned on my stream, I thought it was Terry playing... only to see it's a 24 not a 26. Their style is so similar. He is in contention to vote for MotM, simply because it felt like he had been playing for us ages, and the shot at the end was oh so close.

Indeed, he really reminded me of JT looking at him from far away.

Really like the lad and wish him all the best.

[Kez 2,727]

If that shot goes in today, he's an instant hero. So unlucky.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

If that shot goes in today, he's an instant hero. So unlucky.

And Mata's Shot....

[Kez 2,727]

Cahill's initiation ceremony

[Swedish House Mafia 508]

Didn't watch the match but Goal.com gave Cahill a 5.5 rating. Is he being overhyped on here or are Goal.com just stupid?

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

Didn't watch the match but Goal.com gave Cahill a 5.5 rating. Is he being overhyped on here or are Goal.com just stupid?

Goal.com being stupid. He was very well positioned throughout the game making some key interceptions and challenges. Also as mentioned above had a fantastic shot very close to full time.

[Kieran. 6,317]

He certainly impressed me today.