Gary Cahill

[scargo 75]

In 4 games when he started, 3 lose , 1 draw.

Do you think this is just a coincidence?

[Jase 43,479]

15 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Whole defence was pretty awful today. Not a good clip but he loses his feet somewhere in it, quite funny, hopefully Rudiger comes in next week

Not sure if it's as simple as him losing his feet because that wasn't the first time, was it? Every time he has to defend 1 v 1, especially in the box, there's always a sense of panic stations with him. Either he'll put in some miraculous last ditch block or embarrass himself with some silly attempt to clear the danger but fail with it.

[OneMoSalah 8,797]

13 hours ago, Jason said:

Not sure if it's as simple as him losing his feet because that wasn't the first time, was it? Every time he has to defend 1 v 1, especially in the box, there's always a sense of panic stations with him. Either he'll put in some miraculous last ditch block or embarrass himself with some silly attempt to clear the danger but fail with it.

Yeah he struggles with real pace in 1 v 1s.

He’s really strong in the air and can provide a threat from free kicks and corners and deal with high balls well, which is a reason why I think he gets picked against teams like Arsenal, who struggle to deal with set plays and your West Hams, Stokes, Palaces because they rely on a lot of set plays (normally).

I am happy enough to see Cahill defending higher up the pitch because normally he will make a successful challenge but like you said in the box he can panic and stands off at times. He also made a couple of blocks/deflections, one that prevented a sure goal for me, but he has to get dropped for Rudiger, he just oozes calmness in comparison to Cahill and is much more mobile (Cahill getting older and I think he’s lost a yard or two of pace, fair enough he’s not quite JT slow but he was quicker over the ground a number of years back).

In all honesty everybody struggled yesterday against Zaha and Townsend upfront, it was a bold tactical ploy by Hodgson and I have to say it worked they gave he wide CBs the run around especially. Obviously it was something they looked at and I reckon other teams will follow suit.

[Polo7 3,496]

What the fuck was be doing for Watford's second goal. Left us completely exposed. Hate seeing his name on the team sheet.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

He makes players around automatically much worse. Installs no confidence and we just leak goals when he plays even if he isn't always directly at fault.

[zakhov 253]

Him and Alonso were dreadful, too easily exposed by their wingback.

For the 2nd goal, I'm not sure what he was thinking. Goes out of position to follow the player, leaves his area open and ends up stumbling. Classic.

[Jase 43,479]

So there's an internal feud over team selection and it's over Cahill?! We have reached a new low...

http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/03/antonio-conte-hints-at-team-selection-interference-ahead-of-chelseas-clash-with-manchester-united-7051657/

In his press conference on Friday, Conte refused to explain the full reason behind Cahill’s switch and has indicated that changing the 31-year-old’s position was not his own idea.

When asked why Cahill was played on the right, Conte hesitated before replying: ‘I think… honestly, I don’t want to answer this question, its not a disrespect for you [the reporter], but who must understand, understands. This is my answer, do you understand?’

Asked if he will play on the right again, Conte replied: ‘No, no.

‘He’s very good to play on the left. We won a league with Cahill in this position, I don’t know, I don’t understand why we have to try again to try put him on the right. This is a good question.’

And when asked if Conte was admitting to making a mistake over Cahill’s position, the Italian replied: ‘Maybe, maybe.

‘I think Cahill can play on the right or the left, but the best position for him, for me, is on the left, but sometimes it can happen, some misunderstanding, but it’s then to clarify the situation.’

[Special Juan 27,454]

Players are probably asking questions like we are, and can you blame them if the same players are under performing but others aren't being selected instead?

 

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

What a surprise really....who would have guessed! 

[!Hazard! 3,394]

Surely it's decision thats coming from above? I just can't see why Conte would prefer Cahill over Rudiger. Physically, technically, the latter is superior. Because he's English and there has to be at least one Englishman in the starting XI? Well, just replace Cesc/Bakayoko with Drinkwater and solve two issues at once.

[Jase 43,479]

Apparently, it was the players who suggested to Conte to play Cahill as the RCB at Roma.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/03/chelsea-return-gary-cahill-left-switch-backfires-rome/

[OneMoSalah 8,797]

2 hours ago, !Hazard! said:

Surely it's decision thats coming from above? I just can't see why Conte would prefer Cahill over Rudiger. Physically, technically, the latter is superior. Because he's English and there has to be at least one Englishman in the starting XI? Well, just replace Cesc/Bakayoko with Drinkwater and solve two issues at once.

I don’t think so. Cahill isn’t even a marketable player either as opposed to an Eden or a Morata or whoever who maybe make the club money from sponsorships or image rights although that sort of things don’t happen too often in the Prem I believe. It’s mind blowing yes but I honestly think when Conte made Cahill vice captain or whatever in the absence of JT last year it showed he trusted him very much and he’s gone and made him captain so he is obviously a player he likes and wants in the team. Otherwise he wouldn’t have done that.

[Strike 7,265]

5 hours ago, Jason said:

Apparently, it was the players who suggested to Conte to play Cahill as the RCB at Roma.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/03/chelsea-return-gary-cahill-left-switch-backfires-rome/

I get why the players would want that. In recent games when he started (vs Watford especially), the left flank was being raided repeatedly. Alonso Cahill on that side, not particularly quick or assertive defenders with Cesc in midfield leaves the team too exposed. 

I think the solution is simple. Cahill will be dropped on Sunday and hopefully Cesc too. Rebuild 2.0 with a decent performance vs Man United

 

[Beigl 1,387]

Christensen was our best defender today, but I thought underappreciated Gary also played very well. Won almost every one on one today. 

[LAB 1,030]

True, i am eating my words for this one. Still believe he should not start most games though.

[manpe 10,861]

Was very good today. Everybody was, but credit where it's due. Didn't let anything past him and didn't concede any mistakes iirc.

[Jase 43,479]

26 minutes ago, manpe said:

Was very good today. Everybody was, but credit where it's due. Didn't let anything past him and didn't concede any mistakes iirc.

He's hardly the best in defending but maybe his no nonsense approach to defending is what we needed after the mess at Roma.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Praise where praise is due. If we had a strong LWB we’d complain about him a lot less imo.