Paulo Ferreira

Lampard hails Cahill impact

There was once a time when an injury to John Terry would spark a huge crisis at Stamford Bridge. However, with the England international set for a spell on the treatment table, Frank Lampard doesn’t seem concerned in the slightest and has lavished praise on fellow defender Gary Cahill, describing him as a “top centre half”.

Cahill joined the Blues from Bolton for a cut-price fee of £7m, with the Trotters keen to offload the defender due to his precarious contract situation. The 26-year-old was at the centre of umpteen transfer rumours through that time, although it was eventually the Blues who landed the former Aston Villa man. It would be fair to say that Cahill’s impact was incredible and he played a huge part as the Blues went on to lift the FA Cup and Champions League.

As well as making a massive impact at Stamford Bridge, Cahill has also established himself in the England squad. Unfortunately, injury meant that he couldn’t participate in Euro 2012, but he looks set to grab his next chance with both hands as he is heavily tipped to replace the injured Terry in the nation’s next game against Ukraine this week.

Following on from the above, club and country teammate Lampard has been quick to praise the defender. He told the Evening Standard, “Gary has grown completely as a player. I have nothing but massive things to say for Gary. To come to Chelsea after the season we had last year, fit in and play the games he did against Barcelona and then the final, he has proven he is a top, top centre-half in world football. Internationally he can go on and play for a long time.”

Unfortunately, John Terry is joined by another Blues player on the treatment table, with Ashley Cole set to miss out on his 99th cap as he struggles with injury.