Cahill happy with Jags partnership

02 June 2014 05:31

England have not lost on the 12 occasions Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill have played together - a statistic that highlights the fine relationship the latter believes they have formed ahead of the World Cup.

The Three Lions head to Brazil this summer with their least experienced centre-back pairing for many years.

However, while Jagielka and Cahill only have 48 caps between them, the defensive duo have not lost a match in which they have played together for England.

Of the six competitive matches, England won five and conceded just once - a miserly defensive record they will need to extend if they are progress from a tough-looking Group D.

"I think we've got a good understanding, which comes from playing a few games together now, as it always does," Cahill said after Friday's 3-0 defeat of Peru. "You don't all of sudden hit it off straight away.

"I feel we hit it off quite quickly and there is definitely an understanding in each other's game.

"There's another clean sheet against Peru so we're pleased with how it is going.

"We carry on and keep working - not just on the pairing of me and Jags but also the other defenders and getting a good reaction with them all."

The position of Cahill and Jagielka as England's undisputed centre-back pairing was highlighted by their starring roles in Friday's friendly win, which saw both defenders net in the second half.

There had been suggestions recently that John Terry should be coaxed out of international retirement to play alongside Chelsea team-mate Cahill, but the 28-year-old is just as happy to play alongside Jagielka.

"It is hard to compare," he said. "I've played many, many games with John, so we know each other's game inside out.

"Before the qualifying campaign it was relatively new with Jags, and since then we've got a good understanding, a good relationship.

"We've got clean sheets under our belt and at the minute it is going well.

"I think Jags is experienced as well. You look at his age, what he has done in his career, his caps for his country. He has been around a lot in the Premier League - he is an experienced player."

Source: PA