It has been inevitable. It has, for quite some time, been not a question of if but when. Now it is actually becoming a reality that longtime goalkeeper, Petr Cech, will soon be moving on to newer, if not greener, pastures.
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Cech, one of only two remaining holdouts from Jose Mourinho’s previous reign, is contracted to Chelsea until 2016 but has been given license to decided whether or not he would want to leave earlier and where he’d like to leave to. This news has put some of Europe’s biggest clubs on high alert with Arsenal having emerged as front-runners for the veteran shot-stopper’s signature.
Cech would add some much needed experience to the Gunners’ goalkeeping unit, and for as little as £5m, could be a summer transfer window steal for Arsene Wenger, who is thought to be growing tired with Wojciech Szczesny’s antics.
Arsenal will have to move fast because Liverpool and Roma have since thrown their hats into the mix for the 32-year-old, as well. Italian sources claim that the Rome club could move for the Czech keeper as soon as this January transfer window, but Mourinho is adamant that he will not be allowing the player to leave this season as Mark Schwarzer, Chelsea’s third choice, has recently signed for Leicester City.
As Petr’s agent Viktor Kolar recently stated:
"It’s unlikely Petr will leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. The club and coach want to keep him to help win the title."
If Cech does decided to stay with the Blues until the summer window he will have many more options at his fingertips come June. Liverpool will be looking for an upgrade to Simon Mignolet, who’s time in Merseyside has been less-than-stellar.
Tottenham or Manchester United could also be in need of a experienced goalkeeper should Real Madrid snap up either Hugo Lloris or David de Gea, respectively. It is known that Cech has been unhappy with his role as second choice to Thibaut Courtois and, more than likely, will be inundated with offers from big clubs to be a starter next season
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Petr Cech has been a true servant of the club for his 11 seasons between the sticks. During that time he has made over 450 starts in all competitions for Chelsea. He has won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League each one time, and the EPL Golden Glove three times — all since 2004.
Add to that seven Czech Republic Player of the Year awards for good measure. He has seen world renowned managers and players come and go. He’s played with the best and against the best and will go down in history as one of the greatest to have every played the game. If any player deserves to say goodbye to the club on his own terms, its Petr Cech.