Tuesday, 11th September, 2012
Frank Lampard has saluted his Chelsea team-mate Gary Cahill as one of world football’s best centre backs.
Cahill is poised to fill in for another Chelsea player, John Terry, for England in this evening’s 2014 World Cup qualifying clash against the Ukraine, if the Blues stalwart is not fit – and Lampard has no doubts over the former Bolton Wanderers defender’s ability to do the job.
Indeed, Lampard feels that the last six months have seen Cahill’s game take massive strides forward, ever since he swapped the Reebok Stadium for Stamford Bridge.
Now he is set to make an impact on the international stage.
"John will be a big miss, he is very influential, a top player who was fantastic at the Euros when playing under certain pressures", Lampard told Chelsea’s official site.
"As a squad we have to deal with his absence and luckily we have great cover whether Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka comes in", he continued.
"Gary has grown completely as a player. I have nothing but massive things to say for Gary.
"To come to Chelsea after the season we had last year, fit in and play the games he did against Barcelona and then the final, he has proven he is a top, top centre-half in world football.
"Internationally he can go on and play for a long time."
Cahill has thus far clocked up 10 appearances for England.
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