Andre Villas-Boas has brushed off claims of a rift with Gary Cahill after the Chelsea new boy was left on the bench against Everton.
Chelsea boss says defender was ill in lead-up to Everton defeat
Andre Villas-Boas has brushed off any suggestions of a rift with Gary Cahill after the Chelsea new boy was left on the bench against Everton last weekend.
Cahill joined Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers during the January transfer window and made his debut in the 3-3 home draw with Manchester United earlier this month.
However, despite John Terry's continued absence through injury, Cahill did not retain his place in the team for the 2-0 defeat at Everton.
The England international's omission at Goodison Park had sparked speculation that there was already an issue between the centre-half and Villas-Boas.
The Chelsea boss has rejected the claims and confirmed that illness had prevented Cahill from being able to retain his spot in the starting line-up against the Toffees.
"He was ill - Gary was ill all of last week," said Villas-Boas in the
Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle. "That's why we didn't decide to put him onto Everton.
"He only trained once: that's why he didn't have that continuity that he expected for the game against Everton.
"Nothing else, because his performance was excellent against United."
With Terry still absent, Cahill is expected to be restored to the Chelsea team for Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Birmingham City.
