Goal.com

The defender maintains success in Japan could act as a springboard for the club's domestic form in the second half of the season as they trail Manchester United by 10 points

EXCLUSIVE
By Ben Mabley | Goal.com Japan

Gary Cahill admits the Club World Cup offers a distraction to Chelsea's stuttering Premier League campaign but believes victory in Japan could boost his side's domestic form in the second half of the season.

Rafa Benitez's men are 10 points behind leaders Manchester United in the Premier League, having secured just one victory in their last six matches.

Cahill denied the claim that the Chelsea squad were happy with the respite from their domestic campaign but feels securing the Club World Cup trophy may be beneficial towards his side's challenge of chasing down Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

"I don’t think it’s a relief. It’s just maybe a bit of a distraction from the Premier League, but we got a great result before we left so that was positive coming into this tournament," Cahill told Goal.com.

"If can we bring the trophy back, again that would be positive for us and confidence for going forward for the second half of the season.

"Obviously have a full week bonding together and spending a lot of time with each other. It’s a little distraction away from the Premier League, and maybe that will be healthy.

"Time will tell when we get back, but we’ve definitely had a few good days’ training now, a good result tonight, and hopefully if we finish the job on Sunday – that’s the plan, obviously."

Chelsea edged towards securing the Club World Cup trophy after sealing a 3-1 victory over Monterrey in Thursday's semi-final. Strikes from Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and a Darvin Chavez own goal provided the victory for Benitez's side, who now face Corinthians in the final on Sunday.

"Without being disrespectful, I think it was comfortable in the end for us," admitted Cahill.

"They made it difficult at times but I thought we did the job well tonight and scored the goals to put the game to bed. So thankfully we got the right result.

"I don’t think you get many opportunities, if ever again, to play in this tournament. To travel all this way and have all this preparation in the middle of our season, but then to go home empty-handed would not be a great feeling.

"So we want to go and do the job now for sure, and we’ll all be ready for the game on Sunday."