There were, indeed, questions when Cahill made his £7 million move from Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea in Jan 2012, especially as he did not immediately feature and looked set to simply serve as an understudy to John Terry and David Luiz.
Given Cahill's nationality and style of play – and desire to throw his body on the line – the comparisons with Terry are inevitable. "I suppose I am similar in respect of the way he never accepts defeat and throws himself at everything," the 27-year-old said.
"I'm certainly like that and that's the way I play my football. If people say you're like JT, obviously that's a great compliment because of what he's done in his career.
"I've learned off him, I've learned off playing with a top player and I feel my game has improved more - postionally and things like that."
Cahill still has much to learn and it is instructive that he raises the issue of his positional play - at times he has been exposed by the clever movement of forwards. But, so far, Jose Mourinho has shown his faith and Cahill has played every minute of the first four games under the new manager – who has, actually, shown a remarkable consistency of selection.
Five players goalkeeper Petr Cech, defenders Cahill, Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic and midfielder Frank Lampard - have been ever-presents, including the extra-time in the Super Cup, with eight players having started the four matches.
Cahill will not take it for granted that he will start this Wednesday's Champions League tie at home to Basle and it may provide an opportunity for Mourinho to pair Luiz and Terry together for the first time under him.
"I just keep looking to improve," Cahill says. "I'm happy with my performances from the start of this season. I feel I've done well, but at this level I know only too well it's all about consistency, it's all about limiting those mistakes."
It will, Cahill says, be a "long season" and certainly Mourinho will use his squad as he fights on all fronts for trophies. The defender says he revels in the high-pressure for club and country. "That is positive for me," Cahill said.
"We had the Bayern Munich [Super Cup] game at Chelsea that was tough and high profile, and against Ukraine was no different. I thrive on it, every player does. That's the buzz you want as a footballer - to perform well in the big high-profile games. They are brilliant."
With Terry and Rio Ferdinand retiring from international football there is also the chance for Cahill to become an England regular and forge a partnership with Phil Jagielka. The pair certainly appear to be emerging as Roy Hodgson's first-choice.
"I understand when two players like that move out of the international scene, huge players, there is a huge void there and somebody needs to come in," Cahill says.
"There will always be questions asked. But I feel I've done enough for Chelsea to warrant my place now and for me it's down to form to keep my place.
"I know there will be questions about JT and Rio, but it doesn't bother me. There will be questions next year, questions come the World Cup, questions all the time. I just focus on what I'm doing and I feel like I'm playing well."
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