Why Cahill should repay Bolton's faith

Gary Cahill has reached a pivotal moment in his career but must not leave Bolton for free

Gary Cahill's decision to join Bolton in 2008 has turned out to be one of the best of his life.

A player once farmed out by Aston Villa to Burnley and Sheffield United is now firmly established as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and a key member of Fabio Capello's England squad.

Cahill may be feeling disappointed a dream move to Arsenal or Tottenham did not materialise in the summer transfer window but he needs to concentrate now and forget what has gone on.

He is out of contract next summer but he should sign a new deal in recognition for what Bolton have done for him.

In his Aston Villa days, Cahill was never given a sustained chance to break into the team but Bolton gave him the opportunity to play week in, week out in the top flight and realise his potential.

Aged 25, it seems now may be the right time for him to move on to one of the 'bigger' clubs but his contract situation could leave a sour taste in the mouth if Bolton were to lose him for free. They don't deserve that.

If Cahill was to sign a new contract, that would mean Wanderers would get a transfer fee matching his worth, perhaps over £10million, and get the rewards for revitalising his career.

It seems inevitable a top club will come in for him again - probably in the January transfer window - regardless of his contract situation.

So signing a new contract - even if he was to leave just weeks later - seems like the honourable thing for Cahill to do.

As for Aston Villa, they must bitterly regret letting Cahill leave three-and-a-half years ago.

Cahill was never given a real chance at Villa

He was their fifth-choice centre-back behind Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight when he left Villa Park and looking at how their careers have progressed over the past few years, the decision to let Cahill go for just £5million looks foolhardy.

He could have been the cornerstone of Villa's team and earned them in excess of £10million had he eventually moved on, so they must be looking at Bolton with envy.

Cahill's assured performances for England in the recent European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales alongside John Terry in defence makes it hard for manager Capello to reinstate Rio Ferdinand to the team when he regains fitness.

Cahill has slotted seamlessly into the England set-up

Cahill is now one of the best defenders in the country and also has great technique, meaning he is always a threat in attacking situations. He would be an invaluable member of most teams so don't be surprised to see Arsenal and Tottenham come in for him again along with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

The good thing about him though is that he seems very professional and lets his football do the talking.

Cahill's name was linked with top clubs throughout the transfer window but there were never any rumblings of discontent from him in the way players like Luka Modric, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri did.

It seems clear he recognises what Bolton have done for his career but he needs to back that up with actions now. Sign a longer-term deal and leave shortly after for a large fee (an example of this would be Andy Carroll's move to Liverpool).

Bolton deserve to make a healthy profit on Cahill and he has turned out to be one of the only positive legacies of Gary Megson's reign at the Reebok.

Megson is not fondly remembered by Bolton fans but deserves praise for his capture of Cahill

Megson and chairman Phil Gartside took a chance on Cahill and it has paid off, and now they should get their reward.

If Cahill does eventually leave Wanderers for a "big" club it will show players stagnating at other clubs that Bolton is the right place to go to revive their career.

They also now have a manager in Owen Coyle that is prepared to take on other teams' cast-offs and give them a chance in the Premier League.

As for Cahill, he will go down as one of Bolton's biggest success stories and his goal for England against Bulgaria last week made him the first Wanderers player to score for England since 1959.

It will soon be time for him to move on to the next level - possibly Champions League football - to fully cement his place in the England team and improve his reputation, but he should never forget what Bolton have done for him.

Signing a new contract and then leaving weeks later may seem traitorous but it may be the most loyal thing Cahill can do.