England's most recent full debutant knows it and is relaxed enough to discuss it on the eve of Bolton's FA Cup semi-final against Stoke after hearing it from no less an authority than his own manager, Owen Coyle.
Sensing he was not alone in appreciating Cahill's true worth, Coyle responded to the inevitable interest from other clubs by declaring: 'Gary Cahill will outgrow Bolton Wanderers and will leave with my blessing.'
Rock solid: Cahill has attracted plenty of interest following an impressive season at Bolton
Those clubs are currently? 'circling', according to a Bolton insider and Sportsmail understands Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are the most likely to swoop at the end of the season.
'That was some statement by the gaffer but it's only what he told me in his office, before it ever appeared in print,' said Cahill, whose emergence has also been closely monitored by Manchester United, Tottenham and both Milan clubs.
'It's a bit weird in a way. Normally when there is transfer speculation, the manager comes out and says, 'They can forget it he's going nowhere'.
Double act: Cahill (right) praised manager Owen Coyle's (right) coaching methods
'But the thing about our manager is he's not only ambitious for himself and his club, he's ambitious for his players. He wants them to have the same drive and desire to get to the top. He expects us all to want to better ourselves.
'So when all the speculation started last summer, he called me in for a chat. He checked first of all that it hadn't turned my head, then he came out with this statement about outgrowing the club one day.
'He just said, 'Gaz, if you werehappy just to tick along at your age there would be something wrong.You've got it in you to play at Champions League level and I honestlybelieve it's going to happen for you'.
'Itwas lovely to hear that, really flattering, and what he said has madeit easier for me to contemplate moving on and taking another stepforward in my career. If there is an opportunity to do something bigyou want to take it.
'Let'sbe fair, if Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United next week and theyasked our gaffer to take over he would jump at it. And no-one wouldblame him. That applies in football as it does in life.
'Iwould never disrespect Bolton after all they have done for me but I amready for the challenge. I still speak to Jack Wilshere after his loanspell here and when I watched him in the Nou Camp the other week Icouldn't help thinking, 'That's where I? want to be: testing myselfagainst the best'.
'Iknow there is extra pressure to deliver and prove you're worth a placealongside top players but I like to think I could handle that.
'At 25, I'm still young but I'm not exactly the new kid on the block. I have played enough Premier League games and gained enough international experience to be ready. I thought Jack did really well over there in Barcelona. I want to show I can hold my own in that company.'
Coyle's highly individual approach to motivating his players suggests he, too, could be destined for the top. When defender David Wheater was waiting to complete the formalities of his move from Middlesbrough, Coyle challenged him to a game of table tennis. A touch of the Brian Cloughs?
National treasure: Cahill (left) made his first England start against Ghana last month
'No, he just loves playing table tennis,' laughed Cahill. 'Anyone who will give him a game, he's happy to take them on because he's not bad and always fancies himself to win.
'But it is an indication of how he has built up an unbelievable atmosphere at the club; the best I have ever known. Things are serious when need be but everything we do during the week is enjoyable.
'I speak to some players who complain that their managers are always working on shape. Three or four times a week; it's how they want the team set up but it's a bit like being in the classroom again.
The sessions Owen puts on are ones everyone wants to do: short, sharp games to get your fitness up and lots of shooting and passing.
Everything we do is with a ball and it is all enjoyable. Everyone comes in with a smile on their face and it stays that way because he's got some real characters among? his staff.
'When you're having a laugh and a good time it lightens the mood in the build-up to a game. He's even got his own way of keeping any pressure to a minimum on matchdays.
Man on a mission: Cahill is desperate to prove himself in the Champions League
'There is no marching round the dressing room telling you to ping diagonal balls to one flank or the other or setting you specific tasks. No drilling technical stuff into you.
'The message couldn't be simpler: I've picked you for the team because I know what you're good at so just go out and do it. Once he has settled on his starting line-up he trusts you implicitly to concentrate solely on what you're best at.
'It does sound simple but the bestplans usually are. And it works brilliantly because we all thrive on?having the freedom to go out and express ourselves.'
Patiencefinally brought its reward at international level when theSheffield-born centre back made his first England start against Ghanaat Wembley. 'Someone pointed out that it was 22 months after my firstsquad call-up,' he said. 'It has been a long wait and there have beentimes when I travelled to places like Kazakhstan in the hope of a capand wondered whether it would ever happen.
'But I wasn't going to give up on the dream and, if anything, all those near-misses made me even more hungry.
'When the chance finally arrived and there was positive feedback from the coaching staff afterwards it all felt worthwhile.
'You always want a challenge, to test yourself and I'm hoping the next one is just round the corner.'
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?Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, David Wheater, Owen Coyle Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Milan, Manchester, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail