It's Chelsea 3 Tottenham 2 in the capital's battle to capture Bolton ace Gary Cahill

Going places: Gary Cahill salutes the Bolton fans last night in what could be his final game for the club
Tim Rich11 April 2012

Gary Cahill last night played what is expected to be his final match for Bolton, scoring the winner at Everton to take his side off the bottom of the table.

His manager, Owen Coyle, believes Cahill is bound for Chelsea despite Standard Sport's exclusive story that the defender is upset his contract demands were made public by Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Cahill was watched by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is likely to benefit if Chelsea refuse to meet the England international's terms. Here, we assess his talent and where it might be best suited . . .

Talent

Nobody does it quite like Redknapp but sometimes managers have products to push and Cahill is Coyle's deal of the week. He has long been tempted by a move to London - whether that be Chelsea or now Tottenham - he is out of contract in the summer and for Bolton, who are £110million in debt, he can leave now for £7m or later for nothing.

Last night, Coyle emphasised that Cahill's supreme quality is pace, something Chelsea badly require.

"He has the feet of a centre-forward but he plays centre-back," said the manager. "I cannot think of too many strikers who are as quick as he is in the Premier League. He has real, real pace, he is outstanding in the air and possesses great timing."

Concentration has been a problem, especially at the start of the season when Coyle said his defender's "head had been turned" by Arsene Wenger's interest. Bolton played both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea and conceded 18 goals. You have to wonder how good Cahill is against high-quality opposition.

Best suited to: Chelsea

Ambition

Should he make it to a Champions League club, then Cahill will have come by the scenic route. He is not someone like Rio Ferdinand, who was fast tracked to the top; he began at Dronfield, a small town near Sheffield, and did his time at Burnley and Bramall Lane.

If it comes to a choice between Chelsea and Spurs, it is likely to be made with some thought and calculation. He has made his decisions carefully, choosing Bolton ahead of Birmingham in 2008 because he thought Gary Megson's squad had "more quality". He decided to leave Aston Villa the moment Martin O'Neill bought a second central defender to join Zat Knight. Coyle suggested his wage demands, which are thought to be £30,000 a week more than Chelsea have offered, are an "opening gambit" and a recognition that at 26, this will be the one big move of a career that has been motivated more by opportunity than money.

Alex's likely departure from Stamford Bridge still means David Luiz and John Terry are available. One cost £21m, the other captains the club. He might calculate that Younes Kaboul, Sebastien Bassong and William Gallas are easier hurdles to overcome.

Best suited to: Tottenham

Wherever he goes, Cahill will have to hit the ground running. Chelsea's last piece of January transfer business - Fernando Torres - cost £50m and Carlo Ancelotti his job. Both clubs are playing for high stakes. Chelsea's situation - out of the title race - means they are staking everything on the Champions League. Tottenham are pursuing their first Championship since 1961. Everything in Cahill's career suggests he learns quickly. When he arrived at Bolton, it was in the wake of Nicolas Anelka's sale to Chelsea and the beginning of a long revolt that ended with Megson's exit.

He was voted signing of the year by fans much as Burnley's supporters had named him player of the year during a loan spell.

Internationally, his full debut, against Ghana in March, impressed some tough judges. Martin Keown argued that Wembley was a difficult arena to adapt to but added: "He showed he is comfortable on the ball, can change direction quickly and has got a good awareness of the defensive line - not easy to do at Wembley."

Best suited to: Both

Leadership

Big dressing rooms require big personalities and Chelsea's seems a rather more intimidating place than Tottenham's. In the absence of Kevin Davies, who has been pushed to the sidelines, Cahill was made captain. Both in terms of position - Alan Hansen argues that centre-half is the only place to skipper a side because the action is invariably in front of you - and ability, Cahill is captaincy material. However, he will need to talk more both privately and in public.

Even in Lancashire, Bolton are not big news. He does, however, have a deep determination that is expressed in several ways - whether that is recovering from a blood clot that cost him half a season and a World Cup place or scoring twice against his former club Aston Villa. During his recovery from the blood clot that could have been fatal, he received a hand-written letter from John Terry that left a deep impression.

Last night as Bolton strove to haul themselves from the foot of the League, he produced an immense display both in defence and attack. It was a memorable way to say goodbye.

Best suited to: Chelsea

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