Zola backs Blues veteran to fight for place in first team

Chelsea assistant coach Gianfranco Zola believes that veteran defender Gary Cahill will stay with the club and fight for his place in the team.

The Blues’ long-serving club captain has not figured in the plans of new boss Maurizio Sarri this season, largely being restricted to appearances in cup games. He has only appeared once in the Premier League, which surely suggests he is no longer part of the club’s long-term vision.

At 32 years old, it is hard for many to see Cahill forcing his way back into the first-team picture on a regular basis. Indeed, there has even been speculation suggesting that the 61-times-capped England international could be moved on in January.

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On the other hand, the centre-back could stay with the Blues at least until the end of the season in the hopes of leaving on a high.

Zola is in the latter camp, stating that he believes Cahill will remain at the club for the foreseeable future and fight for his place in the first team. As quoted by Football.London, he said: “It is difficult to say about that – it was not Gary has done badly when he played, but at the moment there are players performing very well.

“I don’t know what will happen, but he is a fighter. It was a surprise to find out his personality, he will try to fight for a place.”