Cahill admits to strange Bolton feeling

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has admitted that it will be ‘strange’ to line-up against his former side Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

The 26-year-old moved from the Reebok Stadium to west London in January for an estimated eight million pounds after being linked with a number of top Premier League clubs over the previous 12 months.

He told Chelsea’s official website: “It is really quick since I have come here to be playing Bolton so it will be strange, no doubt about that.”

The England international has advised caution to his fellow Blues players, insisting that Owen Coyle’s men are not to be underestimated, despite their 19th-placing in the Premier League.

“In previous years under Sam Allardyce they had the players who are known to play a bit direct but things always change in football because as personnel gets older or moves on for whatever reasons, they obviously had to replace those players,” Cahill said.

“Some of the players who are in the squad now try to play football and move the ball quickly, as opposed to just route one, but they have still got that option with players like Zat Knight and Kevin Davies.”

“But I do think it has changed a little bit and they try to play more attractive football now.”

“The manager is a big believer in trying to express yourself and if you play football or you are a winger, he wants you to go out and take people on.”

Cahill reserved special praise for Trotters forward Kevin Davies, who he believes is among the best at the role he plays.

He added: “Kevin is a great friend of mine and he is a proper professional and a top player.”

“He is one of the best that I have seen at what he does, in the way that he uses his body, holds the ball up and flicks it on.”

“In the four years I was there I have seen him dominate many big centre-backs, I remember one game against (Sylvain) Distin and (Richard) Dunne at Man City, and it can really have an effect on a game.”

“When you think of Bolton you think of the likes of Kevin Davies. He is a captain who leads by example and his qualities got him an England cap.”

“He is very proud to pick that up having thought his chance may have gone.”

Cahill’s most memorable trip to Stamford Bridge as an opponent was with Bolton, when the visitors nearly achieved an impressive comeback, scoring three goals in reply to Chelsea’s opening four.

“I think I had a chance late on to equalise,” Cahill recalled of the April 2009 clash.

“We had that momentum by then that if we had carried on playing we would have got back into the game. It was nearly a fantastic story.”

“When we were four down we thought we had no chance and we were just thinking damage limitation, but then you nick 4-1, and then 4-2, and when it gets to 4-3 you think you are going to get a point.”

“But I don’t have fond memories of coming to Stamford Bridge with Bolton. Chelsea always seemed to be a bit of a bogey team for us.”

“It is really quick since I have come here to be playing Bolton so it will be strange, no doubt about that.”