Why adding Gary Cahill will help Crystal Palace change their style of play
The Sun has revealed that Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace have joined the race for Chelsea veteran Gary Cahill, as the Eagles look towards avoiding relegation.
They currently sit 15th in the Premier League table and are four points away from the relegation zone but have the second best defensive record of the bottom ten Premier League sides. However, that hasn’t been enough so far and thanks to their offensive problems, Crystal Palace need back-up.
The 33-year-old Chelsea veteran, on the other hand, could be just the man that Roy Hodgson needs leading his back-line, especially in times of trouble. At the moment, Gary Cahill has little to no chance of getting back into Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea side, having made only seven appearances all season with just one substitute appearance in the Premier League.
This combined with the fact that his current deal expires at the end of the season does make him a very valuable option. The former Bolton star has spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy among many others.
However, for the likes of Crystal Palace, Arsenal and even Fulham, Cahill’s 348 appearances in the Premier League is what all his suitors are after, as there are very few players around with that kind of experience in this day and age.
While adding a 33-year-old will always carry risk, the fact that Crystal Palace have Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins, Scott Dan and out of favour Jairo Riedewald as their defensive options, does make things very interesting. Neither Tomkins nor Sakho have impressed this season, despite both of them having good starts to their Crystal Palace career.
Scott Dann, on the other hand, has played just a single Premier League game, while Jairo Riedewald has made only four appearances all season. Riedewald could be on his way out according to Sky Sports and that will leave Crystal Palace looking a little thin at the back. Add to the fact that Dann could be on his way to Fulham (via Football.London), further adds to Roy Hodgson’s headaches.
However, bringing in Gary Cahill, even if it’s only on a short-term loan makes a lot of sense for all parties involved but the Eagles will have to move fast.
