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GARETH SOUTHGATE’S views about England not having leaders with a track record of success must have left Gary Cahill shaking his head.
Southgate revealed he did not know who was going to be his skipper for the World Cup qualifier with Scotland a week tomorrow.
“What we have got is guys who still have everything to achieve, they are still hungry to go and succeed,” said Southgate.
“They are not there in terms of the vast number of trophies that some of those other people have won. That’s where the personality comes through.”
Well, when it comes to “the vast number of trophies” Cahill has won THE LOT at Chelsea.
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This season’s title success was his second with the club and he has also got a winners’ medal from the FA Cup (2012), League Cup (2015), Europa League (2013) and, of course, the Champions League (2012).
You’d have thought Antonio Conte knows a bit about leaders.
After he ditched ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ John Terry from his starting line-up in September, it was Cahill he turned to.
In 32 matches after Terry was sidelined Cahill wore the armband for the Blues right up until they won the title with a 1-0 victory at West Brom.
And there is no doubt he will keep the armband when Chelsea defend their Premier League crown next season.
As for England experience, Cahill has been capped 53 times. For outfield players, the closest to that is Chris Smalling on 31, although keeper Joe Hart has made 70 appearances for the Three Lions.
He may come over as understated, although he did appear as a rock star in a Budweiser advert for the 2016 World Cup, but Cahill has grown in stature this season and spoken confidently in his role as Blues skipper.
He was picked by Southgate to lead the team in the 1-0 loss in Germany in March and did a good job.
So it seems ridiculous he has not won over his international manager – a man who seems to be cut from the same unassuming cloth as the 31-year-old defender.
As for giving it to Harry Kane of Tottenham. He is scoring goals for fun without the responsibility, so if it ain’t broke, why fix it?