Chelsea FC’s Petr Cech Has Successful Shoulder Surgery
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
According to a statement on Chelsea FC’s official website reported that goalkeeper Petr Cech has undergone successful surgery on his dislocated shoulder. The Czech Republic international will be out for approximately eight to ten weeks but according to the reports he will be back for the club’s preseason tour. Cech dislocated his shoulder in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals against Atletico Madrid in a collision with David Luiz and an Atletico defender.
A statement from Chelsea Football Club’s official website:
"“Petr Cech successfully underwent surgery today (Wednesday) following his shoulder dislocation in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. He will be out for approximately eight to 10 weeks.”"
Mark Schwarzer has since replaced Petr Cech and has performed admirably but it was clear that the Chelsea number one was missed in the second leg. While Schwarzer was not directly responsible for Atletico Madrid’s goals, a more commanding presence in the box was needed. Some chalked up the Atletico goals to a lack of communication between goalkeeper and defenders which may have been an issue for the deputy keeper who is not as familiar as Cech was with John Terry, Gary Cahill, and Ashley Cole.
Petr Cech’s future at Stamford Bridge is also in doubt because of Atletico Madrid loanee Thibaut Courtois emergence in to a world class keeper. It is hard to say for sure if Chelsea would have advanced had they faced Atletico’s backup keeper but the Belgian did make a series of spectacular saves to deny the Blues.
Jose Mourinho even attributed the loss to a 60 second period in which Courtois made an “impossible save” to deny John Terry and Atletico won a penalty on the ensuing counter attack. Courtois has earned the right to battle Petr Cech for the number one goalkeeper position and with his shoulder injury, Courtois may be well poised to overtake the Chelsea stalwart.
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