Cahill happy to prove critics wrong

The 29-year-old centre-back enjoyed a strong start to the season, but a couple of unconvincing displays - including in a 5-3 loss at Tottenham on New Year's Day - saw his grip on a starting place with the Blues loosen.

But Cahill started Chelsea's 2-0 Capital One Cup final defeat of Spurs and was untroubled by Harry Kane, who was a thorn in his side at White Hart Lane two months previously.

"Up to December, up to Christmas time, I was unbeaten with Chelsea and unbeaten with England, everything was fine," Cahill said.

"Admittedly after Christmas there were a couple of performances that weren't up to the standard I wanted them to be at. I don't need everyone to tell me that.

"I have had it before in my career. You have a little dip in form but you just play the games.

"I have proven myself time and time again. When I was at Bolton they said 'You can't play for England' and I got the call for England.

"I went to Chelsea and they said 'Oh, you can't play Champions League'. I did that. I proved them wrong.

"It's about having fire in your belly and that is what has got me where I am today."

Kurt Zouma, who was deployed in midfield at Wembley, has impressed in his first season and is competing with Cahill to line-up alongside captain John Terry in Jose Mourinho's first-choice XI.

Cahill added: "Kurt has come in, like when I joined the club, and taken his chance. He's performed really, is a great lad, works hard and is a fantastic talent.

"He's proved he's fully in line with John and me. It's a three-way fight, but obviously John has been the mainstay at the minute. It's healthy."