Chelsea coach Gianfranco Zola says he understands Gary Cahill‘s discontent at Stamford Bridge as the defender continues to be left out of the team.
Cahill, who has played 283 times across all competitions for Chelsea since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in 2012, made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in Sunday’s goalless draw at West Ham United.
The centre-back has won six major honours with Chelsea, including two Premier League titles and the 2011/12 Champions League, but recently suggested he will consider leaving the club in order to play first-team football elsewhere.
“For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult,” Cahill said, according to BBC Sport. “I realise sometimes football doesn’t wait for people. Sometimes you have to make those decisions to keep going and progressing.
“Obviously the most important thing is the club, but I have to look at my situation. And if I’m sat doing what I’m doing at this moment in time, I just hope that the club will respect that when it comes to the time.”
And Zola, who was appointed onto Maurizio Sarri’s coaching staff over the summer, has sympathised with Cahill’s situation.
“It is totally understandable Gary is upset and we want him to be upset. It means he cares,” said Zola (via BBC Sport). “He has been a top professional; he is doing everything correctly.
“He needs to be patient because he came late, and the players that were already here did very well. He will have his chances, then it’s down to him to take those chances in the best way.”
Cahill was a key part of former Blues boss Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side, captaining the team on 37 occasions during the 2016/17 Premier League-winning campaign and chipping in with six goals.
However, Sarri has preferred David Luiz in his back four so far this term – the Brazilian had fallen out of favour under Conte.
Chelsea face Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
The post Chelsea coach Gianfranco Zola responds to Gary Cahill exit comments appeared first on Squawka News.
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