Gary Cahill says Euro glory shows he has cap class

By SIMON STONE
Published on 06/09/2012 04:36

Gary Cahill knows he faces a battle to win back his England spot, but his Champions League experiences with Chelsea have given him the belief that he belongs on the international stage.

The central defender missed out on the Euro 2012 finals after breaking his jaw in the final warm-up match with Belgium.

Cahill then witnessed the fine performances of Joleon Lescott and John Terry in Poland and Ukraine during his absence. But now he is 
back competing for a spot in tomorrow’s opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova with the added confidence under his belt of helping Chelsea win 
Europe’s biggest domestic prize.

Cahill said: “I was gutted to miss out on the Euros because it was the first big tournament I was going to have a part in. To get the blow literally just before we flew off was devastating.

“Now I’m back fit but there is real competition and I think myself not making the Euros has made it harder in one way.

“I thought the lads did well in the Euros so, for me not being able to stamp my authority in that tournament, has made it another fight for me to get back involved and get the starting place. There is great competition. The lads who are picked want to keep hold of the shirt. It is going to be tough but it is a fight I’d had since I’ve joined because we are blessed with some good players in England.”

Meanwhile, Adam Johnson has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. The Sunderland winger had a scan on a thigh 
injury, and has returned to his club for treatment.