According to the latest reports from Wales Online, Leeds United are being tipped to pip Aston Villa for the signing of Champions League winning defender Gary Cahill on a free transfer. This should come as a massive news for the Whites as it was primarily understood by most of us that Villa would be the likely destination for the former Chelsea man.
Why the Whites need a defender?
It seems like the Whites have stepped up their pursuit to sign a defender, especially after parting ways with Pontus Jansson under spectacular circumstances. Marcelo Bielsa probably realises that he needs a proven and an experienced defender at the back. There is no better option in the market on a free transfer than Cahill.
The Premier League winner has struggled for game time in the past two seasons, and it was always expected that he would move away from the London based side this summer. Quite a few clubs have been on the hunt for his signature, but the Whites have now made a late entry to sign him.
Will he fit the bill for Bielsa?
The Argentine manager often wants his defender to be calm and composed on the ball so that they can play out from the back and press high. We think that Cahill will be able to do that.
The Whites didn’t have too much defending to do last season given the way they dominated their games, but they always looked vulnerable at the back. The second game against Wigan was a prime example of United’s shoddy defending as they lost to 10 men Wigan who had just 23 percent of possession in the game. The Latics had two shots on target which resulted in a 2-1 win for them. Those were the kind of losses which hurt the team the most in the last season and someone like Gary Cahill with his experienced head might solve that problem.
Not blessed with much pace, the former England international is known to be a committed defender who would throw everything to the cause. Cahill is a dominant force in the air, and he reads the game well to deal with opposition attacks.
There is no doubt that he would be a massive signing for the Whites, and it would show their intent in the transfer market. The defence is not a position where one should experiment much by signing players based on future potential. Teams looking to move to the Premier League should have proven players in defence, and Cahill seems like the perfect fit available on a free transfer. It remains to be seen how much legs these latest reports have as Villa have continuously been linked with Cahill.
