Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile for Web Summit Qatar via Getty Images
Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile for Web Summit Qatar via Getty Images
Tim Cahill played with some exceptional players during his time at Everton.
The Australian worked with some top players at Goodison Park, and he recently named Mikel Arteta as the most skilful player he ever worked with.
Now, Cahill has given high praise to another of his former Everton teammates.
Speaking to DAZN, Cahill was asked to build his ‘perfect footballer’ made up of a number of different attributes, and, intriguingly, he picked a former Everton star as one of the best tacklers ever.
Tim Cahill’s praise for Tony Hibbert
Cahill built his perfect player from the ground up, and there were a few unsurprising picks here.
The Everton legend picked Harry Kane’s right foot, and Lionel Messi’s left foot, before choosing Cristiano Ronaldo for his heading ability – of course, if anyone knows anything about heading ability it’s Cahill.
However, when it came to tackling, Cahill picked Tony Hibbert.
Simply put, Tony Hibbert is an Everton great, he spent 17 years at the club making over 300 appearances at right-back.
Yes, Hibbert may not be the player you think of when it comes to all-time great defenders, but Cahill knows better than most just how effective he was defensively.
Hibbert was the archetypal David Moyes full-back in the mid-2000s, uncompromising, unflappable and not scared to put a foot in.
His tackling ability was the base of his game, and while it may be hyperbolic to suggest he’s one of the greatest tacklers of all-time, Cahill must’ve been frustrated by his tackling ability on a daily basis in training.