Cahill: I might have to leave Chelsea in January

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill says he may need to leave the club in January in search of regular playing time.

The 32-year-old central defender has yet to feature under Blues boss Maurizio Sarri this season, though an explanation could be arriving late following his part in this summer’s World Cup with England.

But such is the competition for places in his position at Stamford Bridge it might be a while before he gets a look in, so ending a near-seven year association with Chelsea could be on the cards.

“I don’t want to jump the gun but as things stand at this time, probably, yes [I might have to leave in January],” he said (via Mirror Sport).

“Whatever my future holds, in terms of the club, and the relationship I have with the club and the fans, it will have been a huge part of my footballing life. I’ve got maximum respect for everybody here.

“I realise that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and football doesn’t wait for people. Sometimes you have to make those decisions to keep going and progressing.

“First of all the team’s doing well which is the most important thing. Having been a big part of things for six years, seven years and played a huge part, not just a squad player, I’m definitely finding it difficult this year to deal with that situation.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager [about the situation] yet. I think we will speak soon, just to see where everything is and how the land lies.

“The most important thing here is the team, but I’ve got to look at my situation and my future as well. I came back a week before the season started against three defenders who’d been back plenty of time before me.

“Whether that would have changed anything, who knows? It was the latest I’ve ever been back. So to go under a new manager, learn a new way of defending and new ideas that he has I am sure he didn’t feel comfortable in putting me in and not knowing that a week before the games so I fully expected to miss the start of the season and we’ve not lost.”

“So there’s no arguments from my point of view, hence why I’ve not seen him. When you’re winning games you have to sit tight and suck it up and deal with it.

“For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult. Everything gradually comes to an end or there’s a new challenge around the corner. I’ve been here for six years and won six titles.

“I wore the captain’s armband the majority of the season when we won the Premier League the year before last. I wore the captain’s armband last year when we won the FA Cup. I’m proud of my career, of what I’ve done here and what I’ve achieved in such a short space of time. For someone to come and do exactly the same [as I’ve done] in six years… I’d like to see how long that would take. I’m proud of that.

“I’ve always been hungry to play football. I’m not a guy who is willing to accept not playing. It’s all about playing. Your career’s short enough as it is.”

Cahill at the Bridge

Since joining from Bolton Wanderers in January 2012 the Dronfield-born footballer has been an ever-present for Chelsea.

His first season (2011/12) culminated with the Blues winning the Champions League at Bayern Munich’s expense.

Cahill would go on to lift two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup and Europa League crown.

To date he’s made no fewer than 282 appearances for the west London club registering 25 goals and creating a further seven for his teammates.

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