One to Watch – Tim Cahill

Name: Tim Cahill

Date of Birth: 6/12/1979

Nationality: Australian

Former Clubs: Sydney United, Millwall

League Appearances (Goals): 412 (106)

International Appearances (Goals): 53 (24)

Stat of the Day: Tim Cahill scored the most headed goals in the 2010/2011 Premier League season (a total of 6).

Neil Warnock: ‘I think Kevin Davies showed us what it was all about. Seven fouls he committed in the first half and he didn’t get booked, and then he leaves his foot in to make sure he gets a free kick for the second goal. He’s a clever lad and he’s been doing it his entire career.” We did warn you Neil.

QPR`s first away trip sees them travel to Everton, and despite the Toffees surprisingly spending less money than the Rs this summer, their squad list is still littered with stars good enough to brace the One to Watch section. I`ve decided to pinpoint Tim Cahill as the One to Watch – a player never one to shy away from a header or a quick punch routine aimed at the corner flag. Everton`s Australian talisman has demonstrated throughout both his club and international career his impressive leadership skills and prolific goal scoring abilities. A short, slender stature that belies his physical power and strength makes him one of the Premier League`s most feared aerial threats. Whilst people have tended to focus on Cahill`s aerial presence, it must not be forgotten his clinical finishing and ability to find and create space have allowed him the praise he has deserved throughout his career in England.

Having also been instrumental in the Australian National Team`s midfield, it does make you wonder why an Arsenal or Man City have not taken a closer look at Cahill. QPR will face a tough test on Saturday from the whole Everton team, but they must be wary of the 31-year-old getting on the end of a Leighton Baines` cross or popping up in a pocket of space even Taarabt couldn`t find. For our sake, let`s hope no corner flags take a beating on Saturday.

Playing Career

Tim Cahill was born in Sydney, Australia, and instead of following the typical route of rugby many young boys follow, he was encouraged to play football from an early age. At the age of 16 he made the brave move of coming over to England to find a professional football club. A move that, in hindsight, proved invaluable saw him eventually win a contract at Millwall in 1997.

Cahill`s seven years spent at Millwall gave him the grounding to succeed at the level he is competing at now. He made over 200 league appearances at The Den, scoring 52 goals, including the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Sunderland in the 2003/2004 season. Voted as ‘Player of the Round`, Cahill`s name was thrust into the spotlight and soon the bigger clubs came calling.

Before the start of the 2004/2005 season Cahill signed for Everton for a fee of £1.5 million. In the Australian`s first year at Goodison Park he finished top scorer with 12 goals, a record number of assists, and was voted as the ‘Fans Player of the Season` as Everton qualified for the Champions League.

A new five year deal followed and Cahill began to further his successful Everton career. Highlights included his 100th League appearance in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, wearing the captain`s armband as a replacement for Phil Neville in the 2009/2010 season, along with netting his 50th goal for Everton in the same campaign.

Cahill has also enjoyed a successful international career with Australia, making 53 appearances and scoring 24 goals for the Socceroos. He has featured in two Asian Cups and two World Cups and has been instrumental in their rise to 22nd in the FIFA rankings. The 31-year-old will be hoping Everton can push on and challenge for a European spot this season, starting with a win against QPR on Saturday.