Football
PA Sport 9y

Cahill backs recent performances, calls competition with Zouma 'healthy'

Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill has robustly defended his ability following scrutiny of his performances.

The 29-year-old centre-back enjoyed a strong start to the season, but a couple of unconvincing displays -- including in a 5-3 loss at Tottenham on New Year's Day -- saw his grip on a starting place with the Blues loosen.

But Cahill started Chelsea's 2-0 Capital One Cup final defeat of Spurs and was untroubled by Harry Kane, who was a thorn in his side at White Hart Lane two months previously.

"Up to December, up to Christmas time, I was unbeaten with Chelsea and unbeaten with England, everything was fine," Cahill said.

"Admittedly after Christmas there were a couple of performances that weren't up to the standard I wanted them to be at. I don't need everyone to tell me that.

Kurt Zouma are in competition for a spot alongside captain John Terry.">

"I have had it before in my career. You have a little dip in form but you just play the games.

"I have proven myself time and time again. When I was at Bolton they said 'You can't play for England' and I got the call for England.

"I went to Chelsea and they said 'Oh, you can't play Champions League.' I did that. I proved them wrong.

"It's about having fire in your belly and that is what has got me where I am today."

Kurt Zouma, who was deployed in midfield at Wembley, has impressed in his first season and is competing with Cahill to line up alongside captain John Terry in Jose Mourinho's first-choice XI.

Cahill added: "Kurt has come in, like when I joined the club, and taken his chance. He's performed really, is a great lad, works hard and is a fantastic talent.

"He's proved he's fully in line with John and me. It's a three-way fight, but obviously John has been the mainstay at the minute. It's healthy."

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