Petr Cech, 32, has all but confirmed that he would like to leave Chelsea in the summer. The Czech Republic shot stopper has largely been a backup – not due to a dip in performance – to the impressive Thibaut Courtois. Jose Mourinho has already made it clear that he would continue to prefer Courtois, who is far younger at 22.
Cech has been one club’s most important players in the last decade, but it is certainly a difficult situation for him this season having spent less than 700 minutes on the pitch. There have been examples of clubs keeping two top goalkeepers in their ranks, but it is a situation that cannot last long with an ambitious goalkeeper like Cech. According to ESPN, he said:
“I don’t know what the club’s idea will be. It looks like it works well with me and Thibaut as a duo. But that can work for one season only. I don’t want another one like this.
“There always will be speculation. I leave it for the summer. It will be important to sit down with the club and with the manager to consider all the pros and cons. We will see what will work out the best.”
Mourinho recently confirmed that if the blues were to let Cech leave the club, it would be for a substantial fee. Cech’s contract runs out next summer and this may force the club to sell him for a little less than intended. There are clubs in the market for a top goalkeeper and Real Madrid would possibly be first on the list. It is almost certain that Iker Casillas will leave the Santiago Bernebeu for a potential spell in the MLS. Cech could be the name to replace him.
Cech refused to turn down a potential move to Madrid. He added: “When a specific offer comes I will consider it. There are offers one cannot turn down.”
It was heavily speculated that Cech may be sold during January, but Mourinho was not going to disrupt a settled back four at such a crucial stage in the season. Courtois made his first error that directly led to a goal in the 3-2 win over Hull, but he also showed his quality by making some outstanding saves especially in the second half. Apart from the odd wobble, the 22-year-old seems like the real deal.
