Gary Cahill

[Jase 43,479]

I really don't think he'll be bad sitting just infront of the defense.

His issue is covering Ivanovic when he attacks, in that position he won't have to cover anyone, just be an added defensive barrier.

Not so sure about that. We don't really want to see our defensive midfielder back off and off till the point of inviting the opposition to have a free shot at goal now, do we? Cahill is not only a reactive player but also one who isn't necessarily great at reading the game and intercepting the ball.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Argh Cahill is not a fucking defensive midfielder, I really really hope Mourinho is not considering playing in midfield, he already cost us against Spurs last time due to him being destroyed by Kane

agreed

The player in the squad most inapt for the DM position. I'd ever prefer John Terry there who despite no longer being as quick can distribute play.

Are we really proposing that the guy who has the most trouble in a high defense line, who backs off forever, is to play in midfield? something he's never done before?! Wow!

I don't even mind him as a defender, though a very simple one.

[didierforever 7,349]

Not a DM. Definitely no luiz in mid. His passing range is poor, and this is definitely not the match to be playing an out of form CB as a DM.

LUIS/azpi seem a way better option to me. Specially luis.

[lucio 5,418]

Would prefer cech at dm.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

I like the thought of Cahill at DM, as long as he is agressive in there and doesnt back off, he is pretty mobile for a big guy, he will put himself about and is good at blocking shots, and Spuds have quite a few players like Kane, Eriksen, Mason and Bentaleb who like shooting from distance, but i feel he needs Cesc to be close to him as Cahill isnt a great passer so he needs players like Cesc near him to play those simple passes into them.

[Jase 43,479]

I like the thought of Cahill at DM, as long as he is agressive in there and doesnt back off, he is pretty mobile for a big guy, he will put himself about and is good at blocking shots, and Spuds have quite a few players like Kane, Eriksen, Mason and Bentaleb who like shooting from distance, but i feel he needs Cesc to be close to him as Cahill isnt a great passer so he needs players like Cesc near him to play those simple passes into them.

The only problem is Cahill isn't an aggressive player and one who backs off when a player is running at him. It's been his style for ages. He isn't going to turn into Matic of sorts and start becoming proactive all of a sudden. Not to mention, he's only good at blocking shots when the opposition is like 6 yards from the goal. Otherwise, any player can block shots from distance.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

The only problem is Cahill isn't an aggressive player and one who backs off when a player is running at him. It's been his style for ages. He isn't going to turn into Matic of sorts and start becoming proactive all of a sudden. Not to mention, he's only good at blocking shots when the opposition is like 6 yards from the goal. Otherwise, any player can block shots from distance.

I know Cahill isnt aggressive, but he needs to be and i believe with him knowing he has Zouma and Terry playing behind him he will be more aggressive. and yes any player can block a shot but not many can do it consistently like Cahill does

[Jase 43,479]

I know Cahill isnt aggressive, but he needs to be and i believe with him knowing he has Zouma and Terry playing behind him he will be more aggressive. and yes any player can block a shot but not many can do it consistently like Cahill does

Easy to say he needs to be aggressive when his natural game is to be reactive. It's almost impossible to change that, especially in such short space of time, when he has been playing that way for 5-10 years. Cahill consistent in blocking shots? Yeah...he only does that when the opposition is just few yards away from the goalkeeper and the target. Otherwise, he's almost useless in that aspect anywhere else.

[lucio 5,418]

Easy to say he needs to be aggressive when his natural game is to be reactive. It's almost impossible to change that, especially in such short space of time, when he has been playing that way for 5-10 years. Cahill consistent in blocking shots? Yeah...he only does that when the opposition is just few yards away from the goalkeeper and the target. Otherwise, he's almost useless in that aspect anywhere else.

Cahills long range blocks have a dangerous tendency to deflect on target. No reason to play him there at all.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Easy to say he needs to be aggressive when his natural game is to be reactive. It's almost impossible to change that, especially in such short space of time, when he has been playing that way for 5-10 years. Cahill consistent in blocking shots? Yeah...he only does that when the opposition is just few yards away from the goalkeeper and the target. Otherwise, he's almost useless in that aspect anywhere else.

his natural game at CB yes, but we are talking about at DM, he will know he can take more chances at DM as he will have cover behind him.

[DYC. 7,542]

Cahill at DM would be terrible. A player with his level of technique has no place in midfeld. The slightest bit of pressure is enough to make him lose his composure. It was the same when he played Pepe in midfield, it had such a negative effect on their play on the ball.

And defending in midfield is a completely different game. Cahill is the ultimate example of a penalty box defender. And he does not possess the speed, stamina and aggression to make up for poor positioning and decision-making (David Luiz did, Pepe did).

Azpilicueta or Luis would be much better options imo, since Ake does not seem to be an option (who knows though). They might not be big and strong, but that's not necessary against Spurs' midfield.

[Jase 43,479]

his natural game at CB yes, but we are talking about at DM, he will know he can take more chances at DM as he will have cover behind him.

So? It's still a defensive position and regardless of whether it's at CB or DM, Cahill is still a reactive player and when you've been playing in such manner for years, you're not going to able to turn into the opposite kind of player overnight.

Easy to say Cahill needs to do this, he can do that but does he even have the know-how to do a decent job in DM in a big game when he hasn't even always been reliable in his natural position at CB? DYC above certainly pointed out the issues well of playing him in DM.