Cahill has to act like Terry and cut out the mistakes

By Martin Keown for the Daily Mail

Gary Cahill should be walking on air heading back to Bolton Wanderers. 

Against Ghana he showed he's comfortable on the ball, he can change direction quickly and that he has got a good awareness of the defensive line - not an easy thing to do at Wembley with all the pressure of making his first start.

I see him potentially as a long-term England partner for John Terry and I wouldn't have said that 12 months ago. Michael Dawson is playing Champions League football and for the moment that experience nudges him in front.

gary cahill

Cool: Cahill was comfortable on the ball

It's all down to how well Cahill performs for his club. What he needs to add to his game is the bravado shown by Terry. There's an assuredness about the England captain, who acts with confidence and Cahill, 25, should take that on board.

He needs to puff his chest out on the pitch, walk with the stature of a leader and make big tackles that grab people's attention.

That element of showmanship came later to me, when I was winning big prizes with Arsenal, but in the youth team I felt self-conscious.

You need that confidence as a central defender and Cahill can grow into it.

Bolton paid Aston Villa £5million for him in 2008 and back then some thought they had paid too much. But it looks a bargain.

gary cahill

Committed: Cahill looks a bargain

Managers at Champions League clubs would have to pay £15m to get him now. He is probably out of Arsenal's price range but any of the other big clubs will pay the money - possibly Liverpool or Manchester City and he could go to either, if Bolton elect to cash in.

City possess Vincent  Kompany, who has been almost flawless this season, and a pairing of Cahill and the big Belgian would be impressive.

I have only a couple of observations about his performance against Ghana. He could have done more to prevent the goal but backed away when the ball was played to Asamoah Gyan and Joleon Lescott was left one on one with the Ghanaian. 

Even when the Sunderland striker cut back inside, there was still time for Cahill to come across and get a block in but he elected to stay out of it.

He took a gamble with some of his decisions but top internationals don't take risks. 

The key for an international-class central defender is to cut out the mistakes.

To carry the 'outstanding' tag, you can't be beaten by anyone.


Martin Keown: Gary Cahill has to act like John Terry