Gary Cahill: Michy Batshuayi won’t be weighed down by pressure of yet another big-money Chelsea move

GARY CAHILL believes Michy Batshuayi will not be weighed down by the pressure of being yet another big-money Chelsea striker.

Fernando Torres, Andriy Shevchenko, Mateja Kezman, Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu were all strikers that have flopped during the Roman Abramovich era.

But Cahill reckons the Belgian star, 22 – signed from Marseille for £33million – will prove to be a big hit at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “Michy is going to be a big signing for us. He’s a very exciting young talent. He’s powerful, a good finisher, quick.

“I hope he won’t be fazed by the fee or playing for a big club like Chelsea. There is no reason why he should.

“He commanded the price tag because of the quality he has, it’s as simple as that.

“Michy shouldn’t have any problem with it, he just has to play the way that he can.

“He’s a young lad that is learning the game, but his talent makes it very easy for him to just drop into the team. He is also a laid back guy off the pitch so hopefully that won’t affect him.

“Also he has a few Belgium international team-mates here in Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, people who he knows can help him. That always helps you settle into a new group.”

Cahill, 30, has already been impressed with what he has seen in training and the warm-up games.

He said: “I played one half of a game behind closed doors against Austrian team Atus Ferlach with him last week and saw him for a little spell – and he scored twice.

“He came back the same time as me and is still trying to find his fitness, like me, and get more game time. But from what I have seen of him, he is impressive. Chelsea fans should be very pleased he’s
come to the club.”

Cahill believes Batshuayi will be versatile up front and can play as a target man as well as running in from behind.

The Chelsea defender said: “Michy likes to run in behind with his movement and hold up the ball. He is physical enough to be a target man and hold players off to keep the ball, but he is also sharp and quick enough to run in behind.

“Antonio Conte has a game plan and I am sure he will fit into that nicely.”

Cahill says last season’s disaster in the Premier League has only served to make the squad more determined to have a good campaign this time around.

He said: “You must move on from it. There was not much to enjoy about last season so you have to put it behind you.

“But they always say when you have disappointments in football, remember them and try not to be there again.

“We know last season was unacceptable, but it is in the past now and there is no point harping on about it.”

Cahill also believes Chelsea’s other new signing N’Golo Kante is a great addition to the squad – and that John Terry signing a deal was significant.

And he added: “Everyone is pleased that John signed a new deal, that goes without saying.

“The two players we have signed are a great addition for us and are both young.

“Kante has not joined up with us yet but he had a tremendous season last year. He is a fantastic player. I saw him in the Euros and he did very well there too.

“Michy is a real handful on the pitch, especially from what I have seen in training.”