Gary Cahill is now being watched on a regular basis by England coach Fabio Capello and the central defender has set his sights on earning a World Cup spot. This turnaround in his fortunes justifies his decision to quit Aston Villa to obtain regular football at Bolton.
Cahill made the £5million switch to the Reebok Stadium during the January 2008 transfer window because Villa boss Martin O'Neill could give him no assurances of a first-team spot.
Cahill said: "I left Villa because I was hungry as a young lad and wanted to play week in and week out.
"If I had bided my time there, I might have got into the side and carried on playing there - but I chose to move and I've not looked back since.
"It has turned out to be a good decision for me.
"People say Bolton are not fashionable but, since Fabio Capello took the job, it has never been an issue which club you play for in the Premier League and he has proven that.
"If you are doing the business and performing well, you've always got a chance.
"I play for Bolton but I'm here now with England and I don't think that matters too much in the manager's eyes and that is a great thing."
He added: "There is the motivation of a World Cup at the end of the season which couldn't be greater.
"There is a massive prize at the end of the tunnel. I am sure everyone in the squad will feel they've got a shout of being involved in that, and I'm no different.
"It is weird because, when you are here, people just get on with the games in front of them and the World Cup is not spoken about too much.
"But there is definitely a sense of competition and that is a good thing whether it is in international football or at your clubs.
"There are a lot of very good players and only a certain number can go to the World Cup.
"There are a lot of games to be played in the Premier League before the World Cup and there are still a lot of changes that could possibly me made.
"But, if I was selected, or if needed to play, then I'm confident I could go out there and do the job. I think it's important you have got the confidence."