England's Gary Cahill has retired from international football | OneFootball

England defender Gary Cahill has announced his retirement from international football to focus on his Chelsea career.

The 32-year-old – who was the most capped member of Gareth Southgate’s squad in Russia this summer – has struggled to establish himself under Maurizio Sarri this season.

Ahead of the UEFA Nations League squad announcement later this week, Cahill has told Southgate he doesn’t want to be considered anymore.

“In terms of my international future, I think it is time I take a step back and now I feel that is the right moment,” he told Chelsea TV.

“I have been hugely proud in terms of what I have achieved, in terms of over 60 caps and I have captained my country on a few occasions which has been a huge honour and something I have been really proud of in my career.

“Three major tournaments and it should have been four. So I have played pretty solidly over the years I have been involved. I have been hugely honoured to have played for my country and I would never shut the door. If I was needed in the future, then obviously, I am there.

“Such is my relationship to the manager, he was fantastic and at the end of the tournament I had a good chat with him and he could see where I was coming from, he understood the situation and the same time we didn’t want to shut the door.

“It has been a huge honour and I am hugely grateful to the managers for the caps that I have had.”