Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill has confirmed that he will leave Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens in January.
Cahill, who recently announced his international retirement, has not featured for his club this season after the appointment of Maurizio Sarri as Antonio Conte’s replacement.
David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger have emerged as Sarri’s preferred center back combination having reverted to a flat, four-man defence.
The 32-year-old insists he understands his new manager’s decision, but having won every domestic and European honour since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2012 he feels it is the right time to move on.
“I don’t want to jump the gun but as things stand at this time, probably, yes [I might have to leave in January]. Cahill was quoted by Metro UK as saying.
“Whatever my future holds, in terms of the club, and the relationship I have with the club and the fans, it will have been a huge part of my footballing life. I’ve got maximum respect for everybody here.
“I realise that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and football doesn’t wait for people.
“Sometimes you have to make those decisions to keep going and progressing.
“First of all the team’s doing well which is the most important thing. Having been a big part of things for six years, seven years and played a huge part, not just a squad player, I’m definitely finding it difficult this year to deal with that situation.
“I haven’t spoken to the manager [about the situation] yet. I think we will speak soon, just to see where everything is and how the land lies.
“The most important thing here is the team, but I’ve got to look at my situation and my future as well.
“I came back a week before the season started against three defenders who’d been back plenty of time before me.
“Whether that would have changed anything, who knows? It was the latest I’ve ever been back.”
The Chelsea defender added that “to go under a new manager, learn a new way of defending and new ideas that he has I am sure he didn’t feel comfortable in putting me in and not knowing that a week before the games so I fully expected to miss the start of the season and we’ve not lost.
“So there’s no arguments from my point of view, hence why I’ve not seen him. When you’re winning games you have to sit tight and suck it up and deal with it. For me to do this all season is going to be very difficult.
“Everything gradually comes to an end or there’s a new challenge around the corner. I’ve been here for six years and won six titles.
“I wore the captain’s armband the majority of the season when we won the Premier League the year before last.
“I have always been hungry to play football. I am not a guy who is willing to accept not playing. It’s all about playing. Your career is short enough as it is.”
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