West Ham United are weighing up a move for ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, who is currently a free agent after being let go by the Blues.
Cahill has been linked with Aston Villa and Arsenal as well, according to a report by the Daily Star.
The former Chelsea defender’s preference is to stay in London, which gives the likes of Arsenal and West Ham the advantage over other clubs chasing his signature.
However, Villa’s assistant manager, John Terry, who partnered Cahill at the back during their Chelsea days, could play a vital role in the defender’s final destination.
Cahill made a mere 8 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded campaign, but had a stellar career with the Blues, making 290 appearances and winning the Premier League and the Champions League in the process.
Would Gary Cahill be a good option for West Ham?
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has four centre-backs at his disposal, with Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena being his first-choice pairing.
Meanwhile, Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid provide decent back-up options, and the latter could provide a stern test for Diop and Balbuena when he returns next season.
The addition of Cahill to the Hammers squad sounds like a risk, considering he is 33 years old. Cahill would add more experience to the Hammers’ defence, and still has abilities that Pellegrini could use.
The 22-year old stands in at 6ft 3in tall, and has always been a dangerous player in set-piece situations. However, the former Bolton Wanderers defender is past his peak, and will command high wages as well, something West Ham don’t really need right now as they have enough options at the back.
Although Cahill will bring a winning mentality with him, signing him won’t really show any signs of progress. The Hammers need to manage their wages efficiently, and if they are to strengthen their striking options this summer, they should stay away from high earners like Cahill.
Cahill will also want regular football, something he is unlikely to get at West Ham considering Pellegrini has managed to successfully integrate Diop and Balbuena into his system.
Stat Courtesy: Transfermarkt