Chelsea News – Talks Open For £120K-A-Week Star Ahead Of Likely January Move
AS Roma have opened talk with Chelsea over the possible signing of Petr Cech. The Italian club is looking to agree a deal in principle for the Chelsea’s veteran short stopper.
The 32-year old has found himself out of Chelsea’s starting line-up this season. The Czech goal keeper has found himself play second fiddle after the arrival of Thibaut Courtois from Atletico Madrid where he has been on loan in the past three seasons. Jose Mourinho seems to prefer the young Belgian in post and speculation have been going round that Cech might seek a move for regular football actions elsewhere.
Petr Cech himself has expressed his displeasure over not having regular playing time and has stated he could be forced to reconsider his future if his current situation does not improve. The player was quoted earlier in the week saying
“I have not spoken to anyone but I think they know me well enough at the club to know that the situation is definitely not the way I would imagine. He said
“With the Euros [in 2016] and the national team in mind, there is no time for me to sit on the bench and not to play.
“If the situation will not start to improve for me, then I will want to solve it.”
Chelsea have also recently rejected an emergency loan move for third choice goal keeper by Fulham and this has added to the speculation that Jose Mourinho might allow the Czech shot stopper to walk through the exit door come January.
AS Roma seems to have jumped to the front-line to sign him up after the player was also linked to French giants Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco. It is believed that negotiation have started between both clubs and a deal could be agreed in principle which will see Petr Cech join former team mate Ashley Coal in Italian capital.
Cech made his move to Chelsea from French side Renne in July 2004 in a deal worth £7m which make him club record signing for goal keeper. Seen by Chelsea supporters as a club legend Cech has made over 450 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions over the past ten years and won numerous personal and collective awards both with the club and his national side.
Cech is one of the most revered goal keeper in Epl and world over and has been part of Chelsea golden generation which has won numerous trophies at the turn of the century.
Among the title he has won include; FA Premier league(3x), FA Cup(4x), Football league cup(2x), FA community shield(2x), UEFA Champions league(1), Uefa Europa League(1). Uefa European U21 football championship(1 for Czech Republic ).
Individual awards include; Uefa European U21 football championship golden player (2002), Uefa Euro 2014 team of the tournament, PFA team of the year (2004/05 and 2013/14), Premier League Golden glove(2004/05, 2009/10 and 2013/14), Czech footballer of the year (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Uefa club football best goal keeper (2005, 2007, 2008), Fa premier league player of the month (March 2007) and Chelsea player of the year 2011. He is also the keeper with the second highest clean sheets in the Epl behind former Portsmouth keeper David James
It is no doubt Cech is still one of the best goal keeper around in the world and sitting on the bench won’t be an idea he will entertain.
At 32 many will see him as getting old but he is a goal keeper and not an out-field player. Most goal keeper seems to get better with age and many go into their forties still playing.
Mourinho has hinted that he wants to build a team for the future and it doesn’t look like Cech is in the plan. Many fan wouldn’t want him to leave as the team is already looking strange with the gear-wearing keeper not behind skipper John Terry when players emerge from the Tunnel.
Thibaut Courtios has come good and the future looks secured with him as Chelsea’s no.1. This is a situation that most managers don’t want to find themselves in, but a decision has to be made. Which ever decision that is taking should be in the interest of both the player and the club as Cech has served Chelsea fearlessly in the past decade.