It was the news that Chelsea fans have been expecting all season but reluctant to hear. Chelsea’s long standing goal keeper Petr Cech has spoken of his desire to leave the club. Cech has struggled to feature regularly as a result of the fantastic form of Thibaut Courtois in his debut season. The Belgian shot stopper has been ever present for Chelsea since his return from a loan spell at Atletico Madrid. Cech has made only five league appearances for Chelsea this season, his chances coming mostly in cup competitions. After being knocked out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, the remainder of the season looks bleak for Petr with only nine games remaining.
Speaking in an interview with the Indes newspaper, he was quoted “I do not want another [season] like this.” At the start of the season, the goal keeper situation looked to be Jose Mourinho’s biggest challenge. Any attempt to keep two of the best goal keepers in the world happy was always going to be a struggle, however I believe Jose Mourinho has done well. Cech has featured in important games such as the Capital One Cup final and put in a man of the match performance in a crucial home game against Everton in the Premier League.
It has been rumoured that Chelsea are happy to let the Czech international leave in the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £10 million. The club will look to sell Cech, instead of waiting for Cech to see out the remainder of his contract and leave on a free. Something that players such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba have done in the past.
With speculation that Cech is seemingly available, many clubs across the top leagues around Europe will be interested in his services. The early contenders for Cech’s signature come from Arsenal, Liverpool and Spanish giants Real Madrid. So what destination should Petr embark on in the next stage of his career?
Possible options
Liverpool
Chelsea will be unwilling to sell to a Premier League side, even if they are not directly affecting their title charge. Cech being linked with Liverpool comes after Red’s goal keeper Simon Mignolet has endured a mixed season. The future of the Belgian keeper was put into doubt after a turbulent start to the season. As a result of poor form, Brendan Rogers dropped Mignolet and looks to have come back bigger and better. Therefore I see a move to Liverpool unlikely.
Real Madrid
Since Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge, speculation linking these two sides together was inevitable. Madrid’s current number one Iker Casillas has also suffered a mixed season, looking a shadow of him former self. Now at the age of 33, only has Keylor Navas providing competition for places in the Spanish capital. Navas is likely to be moved on after lack of game time at the Bernebeu, opening the path for Cech. Cech would provide competition for Casillas and has worked under Ancelotti before, should he still be at Madrid next season. A move to Madrid seems to be the most likely outcome as it would see him move away from the Premier League. When asked about a possible move, Cech replied: “There are offers that one can’t turn down”.
Arsenal
Many Chelsea fans would see a move to local rivals Arsenal as something quite controversial, which I guess you could agree with. On the other hand, Cech has spoken of his desire to stay in London. Neither David Ospina nor Wojech Szcezncy have looked completely convincing throughout the season, so first team football would be almost guaranteed. Playing for Real Madrid comes with a certain level of expectancy and pressure. We have seen this season with Gareth Bale how quickly the Spanish fans can turn on their own players. Would he get the respect he deserves at Madrid? I don’t think so. A move to the Emirates would allow him the chance to show he can still perform at the highest level. Although it may not be the best move for Chelsea fans, I think it would be the best move for him.
With Cech at the age of thirty two, I am sure he has a few more years remaining between the sticks. A move would allow him to show what we can still do which the man deserves to do, he has been a major factor in Chelsea’s meteoric rise on the football map. Since joining in 2004 from Rennes he has guided the club to three Premier League trophies, four FA Cups, a Champions League trophy and a Europa League trophy to name just a few. It has become quite transparent that Cech will be moving away from the Bridge. Regardless of where he moves, he will always be remembered by Chelsea fans as one of our greatest goal keepers of all time. There’s a saying that Chelsea fans have lived by over the years: “If big Pete’s happy, we’re happy”.
You can follow Ryan Darby on Twitter: @RyanDarby28
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