Chelsea captain Gary Cahill is hoping England can plunge his experience in the most supreme way at the 2018 World Cup in the summer, as he remains the most experienced under Gareth Southgate.
With over 40 caps to his name, Cahill is one of the players the younger ones will look up to at the World Cup although he understands how tough the tournament will be.
The England international has been one of the best defenders in the England set up but this season has been torrid for him. He fell out of the Chelsea team before forcing his way back into the side under Antonio Conte, peaking just at the right time ahead of the World Cup.
He is the only player with over 40 caps to his name and passes as one of the leaders in the dressing room. Cahill is now adamant this England group can make the most of their time in Russia but admits players and fans must have a ‘positive frame of mind’ during the tournament.
“There’s more experience in bigger games. All of this adds being to handle the pressures there will be in the World Cup. It feels as if there is more experience, even though it’s a young group. In the time I have been with England, in the qualification and the friendlies, we have been fine, and then the tournament comes, which has proved to be difficult for whatever reason.
I’m just going there personally in such a positive frame of mind and no nerves, just excitement to go over there. I’m desperate for it to be a success and to try to make the nation proud – and to come back having had a good experience in a tournament, which is something I’ve missed in my career.”
Gary Cahill, BBC
