Burnley Opinion: Why the Clarets should snap up free agent Gary Cahill?
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Burnley are among the Premier League clubs looking to sign Gary Cahill on a free transfer from Chelsea this summer.
The former England international, 33, has been surplus to requirements at the Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri this season and is set to leave the Blues this summer and link up with another club. He was given a roaring send-off and the players did a lap of honour after coming on as a substitute during Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Watford.
Gary Cahill has played just nine games across all competitions this season after he was frozen out by Sarri. With the 33-year-old set to be available as a free agent, Burnley must not hesitate to snap him up in the summer.
Burnley huffed and puffed to secure their Premier League status this season which clearly tells Sean Dyche needs to spend wisely in the summer to avoid another underwhelming campaign at the Turf Moor. The Clarets were toothless going forward but what surprised many was the team’s lack of defensive shape and discipline this time around.
It’s very unusual for a Sean Dyche team, which conceded 68 goals in the 2018/19 campaign. James Tarkowski and Ben Mee did form a good partnership at Turf Moor, but they often couldn’t stop the ball hitting the back of the net.
Moreover, Tarkowski is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs and Dyche is not yet fully convinced with Ben Gibson, who joined the Clarets from Middlesbrough last summer.
That should make a new defender a priority for Burnley and Cahill could potentially be the answer to Dyche’s defensive problems. The Englishman leaves Chelsea a highly-decorated player, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the EFL Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League. He is a real leader, who can organise the defence very well and make a difference when the chips are down.
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The former Bolton Wanderers man is also a ball-playing centre-half, something the Clarets lack in their squad.
His positioning is fantastic and his rich experience will come in handy for Dyche’s men next season. Cahill may be 33 and past his prime, but he is still good enough to play Premier League football for at least another season or two.
Verdict
Cahill has been a serial winner at Chelsea and would offer Burnley real experience off the pitch as well. That will definitely add to his value for the Clarets and it is a move that will only serve to improve their defence.
