Antonio Conte has confirmed that Gary Cahill will captain Chelsea following the departure of John Terry earlier this summer.
Cahill, who joined the Blues back in 2012, is now essentially the club’s longest-serving player - Matej Delac doesn’t really count, let’s face it - and has been rewarded for his loyalty with the captain’s armband.
"I think that it’s right to continue with Cahill, if he plays, it’s right he’s the captain,” Conte was quoted as saying by the Evening Standard on Sunday. "Why? Because he stayed in Chelsea for many years and played a lot of games and showed good characteristics to be this."
Stepping into Terry’s shoes on a permanent basis won’t be easy for Cahill, a £7 million signing from Bolton Wanderers.
However, the 31-year-old will feel he now possesses the required experience and dressing room influence to take on the role.
Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-0 on Saturday
Cahill started and played 77 minutes in Chelsea’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
A brace from Michy Batshuayi and another goal from Willian sealed a confidence-boosting victory for the Premier League champions.
The moment Cahill annoyed Fabregas and Luiz
However, there was a rather odd moment midway through the first half when Cahill was lambasted by both David Luiz and Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas was open in space but rather than play the ball infield to the Spaniard, Cahill opted to pass back to Luiz.
The England international subsequently found himself in the bad books of both teammates.
Fabregas was annoyed Cahill didn’t pass the ball back - he was in a good position, after all - while Luiz was annoyed the centre-back didn’t jog back and make an angle for a simple return pass.
Watch the incident here...
They would never have treated John Terry like that.
It’s clear that Cahill has some way to go before he wins the complete respect of his teammates.