Chelsea star Gary Cahill can solve Fulham’s defensive woes

Arriving at Chelsea from Bolton in 2012 under Rafael Benitez, Gary Cahill has had a magnificent six years at Stamford Bridge. In that time, he has won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Champions League trophy and a Europa League trophy.

He’s made just under 290 appearances, wearing the armband for the Blues in more than half of those games. Now, at the age of 32, it looks like his career in London is over. Speaking on the matter in an interview with Goal.com, manager Maurizio Sarri said:

“I respect him very much because he has won everything with this club,” Sarri told reporters. “I have to do my job. Every match, I have to choose. For me, he is not able to [be] on the bench. It is not my decision, but it is up to him and the club.”

This means that in all likelihood, the 32-year-old will leave the club soon but as to whether it’s in the January window or next summer, that’s something only Cahill can answer. But with Fulham and Claudio Ranieri in dire need of defensive reinforcements, the Englishman would be the perfect solution to their issues.

Sky Sports has revealed that the Whites are interested in making a move for Gary Cahill in the near future, and what an addition he would be. While Ranieri has managed to bring back a bit of life to Craven Cottage, they still need that leader to help out defensively as Fulham have the worst defensive record in the league.

That is over and above the fact that the club spent millions to sign 12 stars over the summer, which includes five defenders. The likes Alfie Mawson, Maxime Le Marchand, Joe Bryan arrived alongside loanees Calum Chambers and Tim Fosu-Mensah but no one has managed to stake a permanent claim in the Fulham defence.

Cahill, who currently earns wages in the region of £130,000-a-week, is experienced and skilled enough to repair the Cottagers’ vulnerable backline.

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Bringing in Cahill would not only help the club obtain an experienced center-back but also a leader at a cut-rate price, given that his contract has less than six months left on it. But with Sky Sports further revealing that West Ham and Southampton are also interested, Ranieri needs to make up his mind and act fast.