---
title: "Exclusive: Marcus Bent says Crystal Palace not re-signing Gary Cahill a huge mistake"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-marcus-bent-says-crystal-palace-not-re-signing-gary-cahill-a-huge-mistake/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jake Sanders"
section: "Crystal Palace"
published: "2021-08-17T16:40:49Z"
modified: "2021-08-17T16:40:49Z"
---

# Exclusive: Marcus Bent says Crystal Palace not re-signing Gary Cahill a huge mistake

**Marcus Bent reckons that failing to re-sign Gary Cahill is a massive mistake by his former side Crystal Palace.**

Following two years with the Selhurst Park outfit, the experienced defender was released at the end of last season despite being [offered](https://twitter.com/TomBarclay_/status/1418104516398956544) a new contract.

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Cahill missed [15](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gary-cahill/verletzungen/spieler/27511) games last season with various muscle problems, but when fit, the former Chelsea and England man was a regular under Roy Hodgson – making [47](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gary-cahill/leistungsdaten/spieler/27511/plus/0?saison=2020) appearances across all competitions.

However, soon after his contract expired, and after Cahill had [reportedly](https://twitter.com/TomBarclay_/status/1418104516398956544) rejected a new deal, he confirmed his Palace exit on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/GaryJCahill/status/1421789431716057088).

And whilst new manager Patrick Vieira has reacted to Cahill’s departure by bringing in Joachim Andersen from Lyon and highly-rated young Chelsea defender Marc Guehi, Bent couldn’t help but look back on a potentially poor decision from Palace.

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When asked whether the Eagles might regret not keeping Cahill, he exclusively told **[The Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/)**:

*“I love him to bits, Gary. I don’t know why he’s not at a top club in the Premier League. It’s a massive mistake, but maybe he wants to move.*

*“But, if they’ve not tried to give him the contract that he deserves, they’ve made a mistake because he’s a good player, season pro and he knows the game.”*