Monday 24 November 2014 13:46, UK
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is an outstanding player for both club and country, says former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle.
Speaking on the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ, Coyle singled out his partnership with John Terry as an integral part of the club's unbeaten start to the season.
Cahill was the only player who started Chelsea’s Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in 2012 to feature in their 2-1 victory over West Brom last Saturday and is in the Chelsea squad for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Schalke.
“He has everything,” said Coyle. “In terms of skills as a footballer, he has pace, power, he has two great feet. And along with being a top class defender, he weighs in goals as well.”
He has everything. In terms of skills as a footballer, he has pace, power, he has two great feet.
Coyle was in charge of Bolton when they sold the 28-year-old to Chelsea in 2012 and told Sky Sports News HQ that Cahill was more than just a wonderful player but also an "outstanding man."
On his move to Chelsea, Coyle added: “We agreed a deal the night before we were due to play Everton at Goodison and I told him the deal had been concluded and you don’t have to play in the game and risk injury.
“He said 'no gaffer, I want to play in the match'. We went to Goodison, we won the game 2-1 and he actually scored the winning goal. He still wanted to help his team at Bolton. That summed him up as a man.”
Cahill did not play in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against NK Maribor in their last Champions League fixture but Jose Mourinho is expected to field a strong side on Tuesday against former club boss Roberto Di Matteo.
The Blues can book their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a win or high-scoring draw against Schalke following their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in September.
You can watch Jose Mourinho’s news conference on Sky Sports News HQ from 6pm this evening and watch Chelsea take on Schalke from 7.30pm on Tuesday on Sky Sports 5
