Should he have just left the club earlier?

In the last week there has been renewed speculation about the future of Gary Cahill. Out of contract at the end of the season, the England cap has been much in demand, with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City credited with an interest. Spurs were certainly interested in Cahill in the summer, and attempted to sign him as deadline day approached in August. As the deadline neared, Harry Redknapp seemed set to sell Sebastien Bassong to QPR as a deal for Cahill appeared to be close. But the deal never transpired as Spurs would not meet Bolton’s £13million valuation.

At the time it seemed that Owen Coyle’s side had received a much needed boost by keeping their star defender. Cahill had scored as Bolton hammered newly promoted QPR on the opening day of the season, and despite defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool, hopes were high for the season after a comfortable Premier League finish and an FA Cup semi-final last season. But they have endured an awful start to the season, with just two league wins since that victory at Loftus Road, and the worst defensive record in the league (having conceded 31 goals in 13 games).

With the January transfer window drawing ever closer, it seems more and more likely that Cahill will finish the season away from the Reebok Stadium. The question is, should Bolton have cashed in on him in the summer?

Gary Cahill has become a very decent Premier League centreback, and has earned himself an England cap because of his form at Bolton. With finances in the Premier League being what they are, Cahill soon found himself with a £20million price tag, as the league’s big teams were credited with an interest. The speculation had been there at the end of last season, but Bolton held firm over their valuation of Cahill and he stayed. Owen Coyle could not have expected Bolton’s season to begin so poorly, but perhaps with hindsight, he wishes the club had sold Cahill for £9-10million in July or early August.