By Tayo Amosu
October 19, 2014
According to Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech’s agent, Viktor Kolar, a host of European clubs are interested in the Czech Republic shot stopper and notable in the list are English Premier League rivals, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Petr Cech has never been a second keeper at club level since joining Chelsea from Rennes in 2004 and doesn’t seem to be taking his demotion to 2nd goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, lightly.
The young goalkeeper, Courtois, broke into the Chelsea first team displacing Czech Republic goal keeper and Chelsea number 1, Petr Cech, this season.
He had previously been on loan from Chelsea for 3 seasons at Atletico Madrid of Spain and his string of performances for the La Liga Champions in the domestic League in Spain and in the UEFA Champions League has earned him the number one choice between the sticks for Chelsea.
Speculations that Cech would leave Chelsea for Roma to re-unite with former teammate Ashley Cole, became popular recently but Viktor Kolar refuted the Roma claims spoke more about the 32-year-old Petr Cech situation, by saying:
“I cannot confirm anything at this time, I have to meet with Petr and speak for the good of his future. But I can say that I have not spoken with Roma at the moment. There are many options, not just one- there are many teams interested in Petr. Roma, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United- we can talk with many clubs that have shown an interest in Cech.’’
From the options listed by Kolar- if Petr Cech ever considers leaving Chelsea- Roma and Liverpool are destinations where the 32-year-old goalkeeper could get first team shirt.
At Real Madrid, who signed highly rated Keylor Navas from Levante this summer, already have Iker Casillas, the veteran and highly experienced shot stopper.
This means that Cech would at best end up as back-up to Casillas if not made 3rd choice.
As for Manchester United, the impressive form of young Spanish goalkeeper, David de Gea, would hardly make Dutch manager, Louis Van Gaal relegate him to second place.
De Gea, had cemented the number 1 position since 2 seasons ago just before the retirement of Alex Ferguson.
He took over form retired Edwin Van der Saar, the experienced former Manchester United goalkeeper.
De Gea’s impressive run with Manchester United over the last two years has earned him a call-up into the Spanish national team set-up, though as second goalkeeper behind Iker Casillas.
However, Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet has some doubts over his future at the club due to poor performances especially this season.
All around the media spaces, one would find speculations and links of goalkeepers to the Brendan Rogers led side.
This is a pointer to the fact that Liverpool is not satisfied with Mignolet’s performances.
Liverpool has been linked ahead of January, to Kiko Casilla of Espanyol, Iker Casillas of Real Madrid and a host of other goalkeepers.
Therefore, Liverpool makes more sense for Cech and his agent, if a move away from Stamford Bridge is favourably considered.
Cech’s agent went further by saying that: “Cech wants to be at a club that regularly plays in the Champions League and this is his highest aspiration. He wants to return to being a protagonist in a great squad at a great club.’’
With this statement, Manchester United, Liverpool and Roma would have to perform well this season to maintain or attain the status of a UEFA Champion League club to win Petr Cech’s signature.
