England’s Gary Cahill doesn’t care what critics say

Gary Cahill has said he is paying no attention to those criticising his performances as he focuses on eradicating the “basic errors” from his game.

Recent high-profile mistakes against Swansea City and Arsenal have made Cahill a target for criticism from some Chelsea supporters amid the team’s wider defensive struggles, while there have also been suggestions that the 30-year-old’s status as a regular starter for England should be under threat.

Cahill believes the mistakes he has made on the pitch in recent weeks will be easy to correct, and is adamant that his performances in general have been good.

“I don’t care what anybody says, I don’t listen to anybody,” Cahill said when asked about the criticism on BBC Radio 5live. “The only people I have to prove myself to is the manager of the football club that I’m playing at and my team-mates that I’m playing with.

“For me, my form up to Swansea [last month’s 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium] was fine. I was playing well, I was happy. But then I made a few big errors and we all know that when you make a few errors in football, basic ones as well, it gets noticed. I’m not stupid.

“If you make a couple of mistakes in a couple of big games, then all of a sudden the whole season is tarnished like you’re having a bit of a nightmare. Yet it’s not like you can turn around and say ‘he’s lost his legs or is being beaten all ends up.’

“I basically made my own mistakes out of nothing, so as ridiculously bad as they were, they are also easy to correct.”

Cahill produced an improved display as part of a three-man defence in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Hull City on Saturday but with club captain John Terry and Kurt Zouma nearing a return to the first team after injuries, competition for places in Antonio Conte’s back line will only intensify.

It is a challenge that Cahill says he is more than prepared for. “I am my own fiercest critic, I do look at myself of course,” he added. “I think that’s the way you should be and is the way I have improved. That’s how I got to where I am today.

“I started out at Aston Villa and went on loan to the Championship a couple of times and now I’m approaching 50 caps for England, as well as playing for Chelsea for over four years, making over 200 appearances there and playing in the Premier League.

“Before I came to Chelsea I was working 10 years or so and I have always looked at myself first. I don’t point [the blame] at everybody else. I look at how I can improve.”