CAHILL: I WANT TO LEAVE IN JANUARY
GARY CAHILL has told Chelsea he wants to leave and is hopeful of moving when the January transfer window opens.
Cahill, who has not played a single minute this season, holds no grudges against new manager Maurizio Sarri who has led the side to five consecutive Premier League wins.
Their sixth straight victory came against Greek side PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday, though the defender again watched from the sidelines.
The 32-year-old believes it is a timing issue, given he reported back from the England’s World Cup exploits a week before the Premier League season kicked off.
Yet the continued exile — and success of the team in his absence — has left Cahill feeling like he has little choice than to leave.
‘A lot of things have been running through my head,’ Cahill said. ‘For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult.
‘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. I’ve got maximum respect for everybody here at the club, the fans and the players. But sometimes you have to make tough decisions to keep your career going forward.’
Asked whether he will have to leave in January, Cahill admitted: ‘I don’t want to jump the gun, but as things stand, probably yes.
‘Whatever my future holds, the relationship I have with the club and fans will have been a huge part of my footballing life.
‘I realise that sometimes you have to make tough decisions. I realise sometimes football doesn’t wait for people. You have to make those decisions to keep progressing.
‘I fully expected to miss the start of the season and we’ve not lost, so there are no arguments.
‘When you’re winning games you have to sit tight, suck it up and deal with it.’
Cahill is the club’s longestserving player since joining from Bolton in 2012. His contract expires at the end of the season.
Should no buyers come forward, given his age and the fact he would be available for nothing in the summer, Cahill could ask to be allowed to leave for free.
Everton, Newcastle and Watford are all options. Derby, managed by former team-mate Frank Lampard, are another possibility, though his £100,000-a-week wages could pose a problem.
Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini wants Declan Rice to learn from the best when Chelsea visit West Ham tomorrow.
Rice, 19, will again form a twoman midfield for West Ham with the expectation of disrupting Chelsea’s attacking play as he did at Everton.
But he will face Eden Hazard, the Premier League’s top scorer this season with five goals, at an average of one every 61 minutes.
‘Declan is a very young player and he must know a lot of different things, learning about different players,’ Pellegrini said.
‘Hazard is a very good player. Every year, he plays for Chelsea, and there was one year where he was the most successful player when Chelsea won the title,’ Pellegrini said. ‘After that, maybe the next season was not so good, but now he has returned to demonstrate why he is one of the best midfielders in the world.’
Asked about Hazard’s drop in form last season, Pellegrini replied: ‘It is impossible for me if I am not working there to give the reason.
‘Normally, when players have a successful season the next one is the big thing.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi always want the next season to be better than the last season.’