Roy Hodgson: Gary Cahill the ‘best type of leader’

Roy Hodgson has described Gary Cahill as “the best type of leader” after the defender returned to the Crystal Palace team to captain them for the 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Cahill had not played since a defeat against former club Chelsea on July 7, but performed well against the Seagulls.

The defender finished the game but limped off with a shin injury having been the recipient of a wild lunge by Lewis Dunk. The Brighton centre-back was sent off for the challenge.

Hodgson said: “First of all he’s a very, very good defender. His positioning is very good, he’s exceptionally good in the air, he’s a strong challenger for the ball and a very good blocker of the ball. These are the defensive qualities we don’t talk about every day. They’re the qualities that get you the clean sheets.

“He’s also brought us leadership qualities, he’s been very good leadership-wise. He’s the best type of leader: he’s the quiet leader people don’t see from Row Z in the stand. He’s the leader we see in training week to week.

“We’re very fortunate, we have two very good leaders in that respect. The club captain, Luka Milivojevic, and Gary Cahill, who I guess is a vice captain. And also Scott Dann who has captained the team on occasions.”