Chelsea FC: Most Likely Exits
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Petr Čech
Signed in February 2004 by Claudio Ranieri from Rennes, he joined the club in July 2004, initially as back-up to Carlo Cudicini. But an injury to the latter in pre-season forced Mourinho to promote him to first choice goalkeeper, a role he has held until the beginning this just concluded season, despite the several major injuries he has suffered during his time at the club.
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But unlike Mikel, his likely exit from the club is not due to any faults or drop in performances on his part… he has simply been ousted by a quite exceptional goalkeeper in Thibaut Courtois, who is just under 10 years younger than him.
Petr Cech could only manage 15 appearances this season in all competitions, with 6 coming in the Premier League. But he still managed to show his class, keeping 4 clean sheets in those games, including an outstanding instinctive save with his feet from a Lukaku shot from point-blank range in the 1-0 EPL victory over Everton.
While he did have a part to play in the 4-2 defeat to Bradford City in the F.A. Cup, he was instrumental to Chelsea’s Capital One Cup run, culminating in the team lifting the trophy for the first time since 2006. In all, he has made 485 appearances in his 10 years at the club, with 333 coming in the Premier League. His 166 EPL clean sheets is just 4 less than David James’ record, and has been achieved in 239 fewer games, which is an exceptional record. Despite his current predicament, he has remained Czech Republic’s first choice goalkeeper, making 112 appearances till date.
His list of accolades include 4 Premier League titles and F.A. Cups each, 3 League Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League and Europa League each, 3 EPL Golden Gloves, 7-time Czech Footballer of the Year, IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper (2005), 3-time UEFA Best Goalkeeper etc.
But most importantly, he has remained a model professional despite finding himself in the unexpected situation of being back-up goalkeeper, offering support to Courtois and not making much force about his current situation. It is for this reason that Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, is rumoured to have given Cech the option of picking his next club, even if it is likely to be an EPL rival.
Jose Mourinho had recently stated that if it were up to him, Cech would not be leaving the club. But with his contract being up at the end of next season and with little guarantees of first team football, recent reports indicate he has been allowed to seek options elsewhere, with Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG being mooted has clubs with most interest in him.
Recent reports from Bleacherreport indicate that Cech has a preference for Arsenal, a move which he probably feels will the give him the chance to break the current EPL clean sheet record as well as keeping his already settled family in London.
Next: Victor Moses