Can Tim Cahill do a “Beckham” and move back to Europe?

Most of you will know him from his time in London and Merseyside, scoring goals for fun via the left foot, right foot and head, marshalling central midfield with an authoritative presence – a true box-to-box midfielder in every sense of the word. But since his transfer to New York Red Bulls in the summer of 2012, amid widespread belief that the best was well and truly behind him, Tim Cahill has continued to impress, breaking goalscoring records both domestically and internationally.

Following reports by Sky Sports that Cahill is eyeing up a possible loan move back to the Premier League, in an attempt to remain fit ahead of Brazil 2014, it would seem that this old dog still has plenty of fight left in him.

“In the last loan period, three or four clubs came in and one was really close to signing me,” Cahill told The Sun. “It was from the Premier League and it went all the way up to the wire. It was to stay fit. I’m definitely going to get a lot of shouts again now and there will always be people knocking at the door.”

Cahill scored the fastest goal in Major League Soccer history after just seven seconds of his team’s 3-0 victory over Houston Dynamo on 20 October, 2013. The Socceroos star then scored his 29th goal for Australia on 19 November during their 1-0 win over Costa Rica, moving level with Damian Mori as the joint-top scorer of the national team.

Impressive accomplishments. But what about his overall league form?

Tim Cahill’s achieved a Squawka Performance Score of 1,004.

Throughout 29 league appearances this season, Cahill achieved a Squawka Performance Score of 1,004 – a total that was only narrowly beaten by a certainThierry Henry (1,074). Considering that Henry finished as the most creative player in the MLS, with 107 key passes, that’s some achievement by the former Everton midfielder.

51 shots were fired in the direction of the goal.

Cahill may not be the most inventive and imaginative of attacking midfielders, but he’s always been a reliable source of goals for club and country. And last season was no exception.

The 33-year-old fired 51 shots at opposition goalkeepers during the campaign, netting 12 goals in the process – the top scorer for New York Red Bulls.

Cahill was New York Red Bulls’ top scorer.

Despite his age, Cahill remains an aerial annoyance in the opposition’s 18-yard box, utilising intelligent movement to beat far taller defenders to precise crosses. Only three players won more headers than Cahill (117) in the MLS last season: Drew Moor (119), Colorado Rapids; Atiba Harris (152), Colorado Rapids; and Aurélien Collin (154), Sporting KC.

It should come as no surprise to any Everton fan that Cahill has retained this fantastic attribute; a useful asset for any side in world football.

His total of successful headers was only beaten by three other players.

There will be no shortage of offers for Cahill’s services. The midfielder’s eye for goal is as sharp as ever, his strength in the air continues to impress, and he offers valuable experience for fledgling youngsters.

However, the former Millwall midfielder will be 34 years old come January 2014. Would you welcome him at your club ahead of the World Cup?