Gary Cahill wants to prove a point to his critics after coming under fire for some poor performances at the heart of Chelsea 's defence . England centre back Cahill was widely praised for his water-tight partnership with John Terry last season , and in the early stages of the current campaign , but his ability has been called into question with a few poor performances of late . Cahill was poor for Chelsea in the New Year 's Day 5-3 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and he allowed Raheem Sterling to run unchecked for Liverpool 's goal in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at Anfield . Gary Cahill wants to prove his doubters wrong by finding his best form again in Chelsea 's defence . Cahill started and helped Chelsea keep a clean sheet in Sunday 's Capital One Cup final win over Tottenham . But having contributed to keeping Harry Kane quiet and ensuring Chelsea kept a clean sheet to win the cup at Wembley on Sunday , Cahill wants to show his worth all over again . ' I have proved it time and time again . I proved it when I was at Bolton and I got the England call-up . I was told `` you ca n't play for England , you 're at Bolton '' , ' Cahill said . ' I proved them wrong . I came to Chelsea and it was `` oh , you ca n't play Champions League , you ca n't do this , you ca n't do that '' and I proved them wrong . ' Cahill and his partner in the centre of defence John Terry ( left ) pose with the Capital One Cup . Kurt Zouma ( right ) has emerged as a credible alternative to Cahill in the centre of Jose Mourinho 's defence . Cahill 's mixed form has coincided with the emergence of young French defender Kurt Zouma , who has started in place of his more senior rival in some big games of late . But now the 29-year-old wants to use his time back in the first team to help Chelsea to glory in the Barclays Premier League and Champions League . 'It 's that fire in your belly , ' he said . 'Although you 'd wish not to have it , dealing with criticism is probably what has got me to where I am today . This is no different . I will come out the other end without a shadow like you see today . ' Harry Kane ( left ) gave Cahill a torrid time on New Year 's Day but was well shackled at Wembley . 'That 5-3 defeat was a bad day at the office for the team . Certainly since I have been at the club we have been fortunate enough to have positive results against Tottenham . 'It was said before Sunday 's game that that result would have no reflection on the final and so it proved . I use it as motivation to prove people wrong time and time again . 'You are not a robot . Up until the halfway point in the season it was no problem – but I have come through it time and time again . It 's not the first time I 've had have a dip in levels of performance . ' Cahill ( right ) and Diego Costa ( left ) celebrate Terry 's opening goal against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium .
Gary Cahill has shown mixed form in Anfield 's defence this season . He has been in and out of the side , being replaced by Kurt Zouma . Cahill started in the Capital One Cup final and wants to kick on from there .