Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is considering leaving the Premier League club in January as he is frustrated with the lack of game time he is getting under new coach Maurizio Sarri.
The centre back has not played since Sarri took over from Antonio Conte at the start of the season, and says he could call time on his career at Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens if his situation does not improve.
"I don't want to jump the gun, but as things stand at this time, probably, yes," he told British media when asked if he could leave the club. "I'm not a guy who is willing to accept not playing. It's all about playing.
Gary Cahill isn't happy on the bench at Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/ZkSuKMV390
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 21, 2018
"Your career's short enough as it is. I've got maximum respect for everybody here at the football club, for the fans and all the players. But sometimes you have to make tough decisions to keep your career going forward.
"As it is now, I'm not really enjoying things. Having been a big part of things for seven years and played a huge part, not just a squad player, I'm definitely finding it difficult this year to deal with that situation."
Cahill, who has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup since joining Chelsea in 2012, is out of contract at the end of the season and is hoping the club does not stand in his way if he decides to move on in January.
Gary Cahill’s time at Chelsea could soon come to an end.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 21, 2018
He’s said he will ask for a move away from the club in January.
Read?https://t.co/NnCRAOlUv1 pic.twitter.com/BhAaUsVyGL
Chelsea let goalkeeper Petr Cech move to direct rivals Arsenal three years ago, taking into account his years of service and desire for first-team opportunities, and Cahill is hoping for something similar.
"I think with Pete they saw he wasn't getting the game time he would have liked and they rewarded his professionalism and his attitude by letting him go and get first-team football," Cahill added.
Gary Cahill considers leaving Chelsea amid frustration at lack of games. By @SachinNakrani https://t.co/YRqjsOzIYI pic.twitter.com/ju6CwBAB6o
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) September 21, 2018
"He could easily have played any moment. He just wanted to... continue playing week-in, week-out. That's why I used that as an example. I feel I'm in a similar situation."
Chelsea travel to West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.
