Big money for an Aston Villa reserve defender - have Bolton had their pants pulled down by Martin O'Neill and (the magnificently named!) Randy Lerner?
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Gary Cahill signs for Bolton Wanderers in January 2008
Let's recap on the following details: 22 years old, 28 appearances for Aston Villa in four years, a Burnley Player of the Year while on loan three years ago and a little over a dozen appearances for Sheffield United last season again on loan (despite being a Sheffield Wednesday fan). I don't think even Gary Cahill himself could dress that up and turn it into £5million worth of footballing real estate but he didn't need to, Gary Megson and Alex McLeish both saw enough in the former England Under 21 to bid that amount and we can't criticise Gary himself for transfer fees in England getting completely out of hand.
Personally I think both Megson (who persuaded him to sign for Bolton) and McLeish (who failed to entice him across Birmingham to City) may have been swayed by the impact a former Villa team-mate of Cahill's has had at St. Andrews, namely Liam Ridgewell, who has came on leaps and bounds since his move from Villa Park last season. The difference at the moment is that Ridgewell cost Steve Bruce only £2 million whereas Gary Cahill has the massive milestone of a £5 million transfer around his neck which has been enough to sink many a more experienced Premier League player.
Both Cahill and Megson will be hoping that emulating Liam Ridgewell will be only the beginning of their footballing partnership at the Reebok Stadium.
Personally I think both Megson (who persuaded him to sign for Bolton) and McLeish (who failed to entice him across Birmingham to City) may have been swayed by the impact a former Villa team-mate of Cahill's has had at St. Andrews, namely Liam Ridgewell, who has came on leaps and bounds since his move from Villa Park last season. The difference at the moment is that Ridgewell cost Steve Bruce only £2 million whereas Gary Cahill has the massive milestone of a £5 million transfer around his neck which has been enough to sink many a more experienced Premier League player.
Both Cahill and Megson will be hoping that emulating Liam Ridgewell will be only the beginning of their footballing partnership at the Reebok Stadium.