Football
ESPN staff 9y

Gary Cahill, Chelsea Premier League Rank, No. 48

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Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.

Beginning May 25, ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.

Why Gary Cahill makes the list

The low point of Cahill's season came as Chelsea suffered a shocking FA Cup exit at the hands of League One side Bradford back in January. Jose Mourinho's decision to give youngster Kurt Zouma some game time following that surprise loss at Stamford Bridge proved that this England centre-back had suffered a fall from grace.

Yet it was a temporary blip for the experienced Cahill, who is an England regular and a trusty sidekick for skipper John Terry at the heart of the Chelsea defence. The 29-year-old has even chipped in with the odd crucial goal -- his strike against Liverpool in December was vital in helping Chelsea secure a valuable three points at Anfield, while his goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League appeared to be the effort that would ease the Blues into the quarterfinals.

That proved to be a false hope for Mourinho and his team, as PSG pulled off an extra-time win, but Cahill is still ending this season as a winner, after starting in the Capital One Cup final win against Tottenham and playing a key role in their successful title charge.

-- Kevin Palmer

The stats that tell the story

- In Cahill's last 48 league starts alongside John Terry, Chelsea have conceded only 36 goals and kept 26 clean sheets.
- Won 115 aerial duels this season (12th most in the league) at a 74 percent rate, fourth best in the league (minimum 50 duels won).

What the experts say

"This has been a testing season for Gary Cahill and perhaps the most difficult time he has experienced at Chelsea ... he might not be the perfect defender, but he is honest, talented and never shirks his responsibilities." -- Phil Lythell, March 2015.

"If Cahill is a new leader for a new age, it is partly because of dependable performances, but partly through a process of elimination." -- Richard Jolly, September 2014.


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