“I realise that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and football doesn’t wait for people”
Gary Cahill has admitted his time at Chelsea appears to be nearing its end.
The central defender turns 33 in December and is yet to make an appearance for the club under Maurizio Sarri. Having captained the club under Antonio Conte last season, Cahill has said that he is now likely to seek a move in January.
“I don’t want to jump the gun but as things stand at this time, probably, yes [I might have to leave in January],” he is quoted as saying in The Mirror.
“Whatever my future holds, in terms of the club, and the relationship I have with the club and the fans, it will have been a huge part of my footballing life. I’ve got maximum respect for everybody here.
“I realise that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and football doesn’t wait for people. Sometimes you have to make those decisions to keep going and progressing.
“First of all the team’s doing well which is the most important thing. Having been a big part of things for six years, seven years and played a huge part, not just a squad player, I’m definitely finding it difficult this year to deal with that situation.
“I haven’t spoken to the manager [about the situation] yet. I think we will speak soon, just to see where everything is and how the land lies.
“The most important thing here is the team, but I’ve got to look at my situation and my future as well.
“I came back a week before the season started against three defenders who’d been back plenty of time before me.
“Whether that would have changed anything, who knows? It was the latest I’ve ever been back.
“So to go under a new manager, learn a new way of defending and new ideas that he has I am sure he didn’t feel comfortable in putting me in and not knowing that a week before the games so I fully expected to miss the start of the season and we’ve not lost.
“So there’s no arguments from my point of view, hence why I’ve not seen him. When you’re winning games you have to sit tight and suck it up and deal with it. For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult.
“Everything gradually comes to an end or there’s a new challenge around the corner. I’ve been here for six years and won six titles.
“I wore the captain’s armband the majority of the season when we won the Premier League the year before last.”
Chelsea started their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win away at PAOK on Thursday night. Although Sarri made changes to his team for the game, Cahill, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires next summer, remained on the substitutes’ bench for the entirety of the game.
Cahill, who retired from international football with England last month, joined Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers in January 2012. He won the Champions League with the club later that season and has since gone on to win every possible trophy available to him.
