In a move that shocked the world on Champions League matchday one, Chelsea named former goalkeeper Petr Cech to its 2020/21 Premier League squad.
2020 has been chock-full of surprises. From Liverpool winning the Premier League to Project Restart to Lionel Messi nearly leaving Barcelona and everything in between, it’s been a calendar year to surely remember. However, nothing prepared Chelsea fans for the shock they’d receive on the afternoon leading up to the Blues’ first Champions League match of the season.
Just shortly before the team news for Chelsea’s first Champions League match against Sevilla was announced, the club released its squad list for the 2020/21 Premier League campaign. Included was a name many believed to be a typo, Petr Cech. The Blues made an error of the sorts last season as Diego Costa’s name appeared on the team sheet, but this was no mistake. Chelsea confirmed Cech’s name was intentionally placed on the list for the season ahead.
Cech isn’t guaranteed to suit up for the Blues, he’s being described as an emergency goalkeeper, but the possibility remains. The 38-year-old has been with the club since the beginning of last season as its Technical and Performance Advisor. He took over the role upon his retirement from international football following the conclusion of the 2018/19 season. Despite retiring, the Chelsea legend has spent a lot of time staying fit and training with the squad.
For the remainder of the season, the Czech goalkeeper will continue to train in case his services are called upon. He’ll practice away from the other three keepers on the Blues’ squad—Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero—to ensure he doesn’t contract COVID-19 if an outbreak occurs within the position group. There have been a lot of unexpected twists and turns within the last year or so, we now know anything can happen.
Although there’s no guarantee Cech sees the pitch at all, one cannot rule out the possibility. The four-time Premier League winner currently sits at 443 English top flight appearances. That’s good for 26th all-time, but he’s not far behind those in front of him; Kevin Davies (444) and John O’Shea (445) are in 25th and 24th respectively. Cech is a man known not only for his winning (four Premier Leagues, a Champions League, five FA Cups, three League Cups and a Europa League), but also for his adventurous spirit. In his life after football—in addition to his advisor role at Chelsea—the legend became a goaltender for a fourth tier English hockey team during his spare time.
Cech hasn’t officially un-retired from football, but it’s a step in the right direction. Funnily enough, the former Czech international isn’t the oldest goalkeeper in the team. Caballero (39) has about seven months on his technical director, with the latter stepping away from football with a few years left in the tank. There are still many unanswered questions that surround this move, but one thing is certain: Chelsea fans aren’t dreaming. Cech is considered a non-contract player for the Blues, but Frank Lampard did not rule out an appearance for his former teammate.
2020 has taken its toll on football, but if there’s one good thing to come out of the situation, it’s the fact that Cech has returned. Watching him exit the pitch and ride off into the sunset with Arsenal following a 4-1 Europa League final loss to Chelsea was a bittersweet moment for Blues fans around the globe. Who knows, maybe Stamford Bridge will one day get to send one of its heroes off in the fashion the legend so deserves.