Why Aston Villa must do everything to sign Gary Cahill next summer
Championship outfit Aston Villa are plotting a move for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill at the end of the season, according to the Birmingham Live.
Cahill, 32, is yet to feature for Chelsea this season under new boss Maurizio Sarri as he rapidly approaches the end of his contract next summer.
Aston Villa were interested in the England international as Steve Bruce was trying to bring the player to Villa Park on loan, adds the report. However, Cahill stayed put at Stamford Bridge but it looks very unlikely he’ll be offered a new deal by the Blues hierarchy.
As Cahill will become a free agent at the end of the campaign, Aston Villa must try snapping him up. In fact, they must start planning from now to get the signature of the England international next summer.
Bruce’s Villa have struggled to find form this season and loopholes have emerged in the defence following the departure of the experienced John Terry. The veteran was outstanding for the Villans last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed this season and it is clear that reinforcements at the back are essential when the January transfer window reopens.
As Cahill is still just 32, he has plenty left to offer and would be a phenomenal signing even if Villa manage to lure him on loan in January. The Englishman’s entry into the team would provide Bruce’s promotion hopes a massive boost.
Cahill made 31 appearances for Villa between 2004 and 2008 before signing for Bolton. After four seasons with Bolton, Cahill got his big break as Chelsea signed the defender. A two-time Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and a Europa league winner, Cahill would be a coup for the Villans.
A solid and forceful central defender, Cahill has made over 60 appearances for the England national team and was a part of Gareth Southgate’s squad that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia. Cahill would definitely become a key player for Villa and would solve their defensive problems.
He could bolster the squad for at least couple of seasons as he will continue to gather consistent playing time as well as pass on his experience to the younger players at the Villa Park.
As the 32-year-old comes to the end of his career with Chelsea, Villa could be the perfect fit for the Englishman. Cahill moving to Aston Villa could be a brilliant move for both parties involved as the club will gain the experience of an established centre-back and the player will receive substantial playing time.
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Even if Bruce fails to poach Cahill on loan in January, he should prioritise a move to bring the Chelsea man back to Villa Park in the summer of 2019.