---
title: "Gary Cahill admits internationals could’ve proved costly"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2016/11/23/gary-cahill-admits-internationals-couldve-proved-costly/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Tabuteau"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2016-11-23T10:20:21Z"
modified: "2016-11-23T10:20:21Z"
---

# Gary Cahill admits internationals could’ve proved costly

Chelsea centre-back and England international Gary Cahill has admitted that the recent international break could’ve cost his side during their tight 1-0 win at Middlesbrough last Sunday, according to the [Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/734896/Gary-Cahill-Chelsea-Premier-League-Middlesbrough-International-Break-Gossip-Blues-News).

Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game, but it could so easily have been a different story for him and his teammates, as the Spanish striker was a doubt for the game having picked up a knock during training with the Spanish national team last week.

Influential Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard was also a risk following the internationals, as he limped off the pitch during Belgian’s 8-1 thrashing of Estonia.

“We almost didn’t want that to come but we’ve carried on from where we left off,” Cahill said.

Cahill also criticised the sporadic nature with which players returned from the internationals, saying:

“With internationals, people are coming back on different days and travelling all over the place, so sometimes it’s difficult to get going again.

“But I thought we dug in and produced a good performance. We’re in a good moment and we want it to continue,” said Cahill.

Chelsea managed to secure their sixth successive victory at The Riverside, and have now not conceded a goal in the Premier League since their 3-0 demolition at the hands of Arsenal.

But the Blues now face two consecutive ties at home to Tottenham Hotspur and away to Manchester City, where their title credentials will be tested to the absolute limit.