:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62873455/1074859898.jpg.0.jpg)
Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri addressed the Gary Cahill situation yesterday, and his words seemed rather forthcoming considering that they were about a player who may be looking to leave but is still technically a Chelsea player (and the Chelsea captain, at that) — and considering how Chelsea have reportedly been quite annoyed by similar courting from Bayern Munich of Callum Hudson-Odoi (obvious player differences aside).
As it turns out however, Chelsea won’t be annoyed much at all this case as we’ve apparently already agreed a deal with Fulham for Cahill. It’s in fact Cahill himself who still needs a bit of convincing.
Understand #FulhamFC have a deal agreed with #ChelseaFC to sign Gary Cahill but player yet to be convinced, as reflected by Ranieri’s comment today: “I don't know if he wants to come and fight with us." #FFC #CFC
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) January 18, 2019
Ranieri’s clearly hoping that Cahill will “come and fight” with him to try to save Fulham from relegation. But even if Cahill can be quite the fighter — don’t have to look too far beyond a certain May 19th night in 2012 — he still may not be too keen to take the relegation risk with Fulham at this point in his career.
The reports of Chelsea’s agreement with Fulham don’t reveal much detail, so it’s not quite clear if we’re talking loan or permanent transfer, but it may not matter too much if they cannot convince Cahill to make the short journey down Fulham Road to Craven Cottage.