Crystal Palace are keeping close tabs on Chelsea defender Gary Cahill as we head into the last few days of the transfer window.
Fulham have also been linked with a move for Palace centre-half Scott Dann, which could force the Eagles to replace the 31-year old with Cahill, according to the Sun.
Palace don’t have the worst defensive record this season, having conceded 32 goals in 23 league games, but the addition of Cahill might strengthen their squad.
Gary Cahill: Profile
Cahill is a household name in English football and has a lot of experience under his belt. Having started his senior career with Aston Villa, the 33-year-old mustered successful loan spells with Burnley and Sheffield United before moving to Bolton Wanderers in the January transfer window of 2008.
Four years later, he switched to Chelsea and has won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League during his spell with the Blues.
However, he has seen minimal playing time after the arrival of Maurizio Sarri in the summer.
Cahill has managed just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season, and most of his appearances have come in the Europa League.
Cahill – an astute replacement for Dann
Crystal Palace are just three points above the relegation zone and have been inconsistent in the Premier League. The coming months are going to be crucial for them and therefore, the more experienced players Palace can sign, the better.
Cahill doesn’t have much pace to offer anymore, but as he has gotten older, he has relied on his ability to read the game because of the lack of pace.
The 33-year old is commendable in the air, and is the kind of leader the Crystal Palace side are missing at the moment.
Much like Dann, Cahill is a battle-hardened defender and owing to his calibre, the latter wouldn’t take much time to get into the starting XI.
Hodgson has relied heavily on James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho so far this campaign and the manager does need a reliable option like Cahill to push the duo.
