GARY CAHILL is set to make his final appearance for Chelsea this weekend after the club delayed his move to Fulham so they can rest their regular players.
Fulham have won the race to sign the former England defender after he failed to convince Maurizio Sarri he should be part of his first team plans this season.
Claudio Ranieri had hoped to wrap up the loan switch for the 33-year-old this week in order for him to be available for their FA Cup tie with Oldham.
But those plans have been blocked because Chelsea want Cahill to play for them in the third round clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Sarri is desperate to give regular defenders like David Luiz a break after their hectic schedule over the festive period.
And that means keeping Cahill at the club for a few more days so he can line up for the Blues against the Championship club.
It means Cahill is set to get one last chance to play at Stamford Bridge and wave goodbye to the supporters almost seven years to the day since he joined from Bolton.
In that time the centre-back has more than delivered on the £7million investment Chelsea made to bring him to West London.
He was part of the Blues side that won the Champions League in 2012 with their penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich.
Cahill also helped the club to win two Premier League titles and established himself as a regular at club and international level.
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But since quitting playing for England after the World Cup last summer, Cahill has also found his role at Stamford Bridge change to a bit-part player.
New boss Sarri made it clear from the outset he was looking for defenders with more ability on the ball and he has been restricted to just one sub appearance in the league this season.
With just six months left on his existing contract Cahill has been desperate to find another club for regular first team football, and Fulham are giving him that opportunity.
Ranieri believes he has the ideal defensive qualities needed to shore up a side which has conceded 47 goals already this season.
It is now expected that the move will go through early next week, in time for Cahill to be available to face fellow strugglers Burnley next week.
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