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Petr Cech is undoubtedly one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League. The Czech international signed for Chelsea when he was a relatively unknown player, but he proved to be an ever present member of the Blues’ squad throughout the Abramovich era. Although Cech was a part of the PFA Team of the year for the 2013/14 season, the veteran was benched immediately after the return of Thibaut Courtois from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
Jose Mourinho preferred to use the young Courtois in goal for a majority of the games as the Belgian is the future for Chelsea for many years to come. Despite this, Cech has put in top-notch performances whenever he has played and has added pressure on Courtois to keep his game up.
Cech has indicated that he doesn’t prefer to play a part-time role at Chelsea next season and at his age he would love to play regularly for a few more years before he calls it a day. It is clear that he is available for a move away from Stamford Bridge, so which clubs should try and snap up the 33-year-old?
1) Manchester United
Manchester United are facing a big crisis in holding on to their prized asset – David De Gea. The Spaniard was voted as Manchester United Player of the Year for a second year running and he was also one of the contenders for the PFA Player of the Year award.
The Spaniard was instrumental in salvaging several crucial points for his club early this season when the United were not in the best of form. His incredible season sparked interest from Real Madrid and even though the current season has not yet ended, there has been speculation that the former Atletico Madrid man is very close to completing a move back to Madrid, but this time it will be in the white of Real Madrid.
Under these circumstances, Manchester United will need a top-notch goalkeeper to fill in the void left by De Gea. Petr Cech is already familiar with the league, is a proven goalkeeper and could easily fit into United’s squad, provided De Gea leaves. Second choice keeper Victor Valdes has only recently made his first appearance for the first team since his injury last season while at Barcelona and even though he is an experienced goalkeeper, United would be reluctant to rest their hopes on him alone.
The only possible issue stopping this move from materializing is Chelsea’s willingness to sell a player to their direct rivals.
Chance of the move happening: 6/10
2) Arsenal
Arsenal have tried a number of players in goal after the departure of Jens Lehmann. Goalkeepers are usually players who stay at a club for long periods, but none of Arsenal’s keepers in the last 7 years have been able to establish themselves as first choice keepers. During this period, Arsenal have used Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny, Vito Mannone and David Ospina.
Wenger trusted Szczesny for a while, but the Pole’s lack of significant improvement over the years finally prompted Wenger to buy David Ospina in a quest to provide some competition to Szczesny. The Polish keeper’s dramatic drop in form after a good season in 2013/14 was proving to be costly for Arsenal and in the end his mishaps against Southampton forced Wenger to bench him and use Ospina.
Although Ospina has been good for Arsenal, the Colombian has been prone to the occasional error. The Colombian is good, but he is not good enough for Arsenal if they intend to put up a title challenge next season. Cech is easily an upgrade over Ospina and Szczesny, and if and when Cech moves to Arsenal, then it could be Szczesny who could be shown the exit door.
Chances of the move happening: 7/10
3) AS Roma
AS Roma have improved massively under the guidance of Rudi Garcia and are close to finishing in the Champions League spots in back-to-back seasons. But before the current season began, Roma were a club with the ambition of winning the league title and ending the domination of Juventus. Unfortunately, their league campaign stumbled along the way and they now find themselves in second place in the table.
The Italian side have a very good squad, but they are currently reliant on 38-year-old Morgan De Sanctis as their first choice keeper. De Sanctis is clearly showing signs of ageing and he is not able to produce performances that prompted Roma to sign the veteran two years ago. Roma will be looking for a top goalkeeper in the summer as they cannot let the mistakes of De Sanctis cost them nor can they move forward by trusting their inexperienced backup goalkeepers.
A move to the Serie A maybe a step down for someone of Cech’s stature, but he can be the first choice at Roma and he might just be the missing piece in their squad that will propel them to a long-awaited Serie A title.
Chances of move happening: 5/10
4) Real Madrid
Although Real Madrid have invested heavily in their squad over the years, they are currently going through a small goalkeeping crisis. Iker Casillas, who served the club for many years, is currently under siege from the Real Madrid fans for his erratic performances in goal while their manager Carlos Ancelotti doesn’t trust Keylor Navas enough to use him in big games.
Casillas has served the club for so many years. But for a club like Real Madrid, who aim to win several honours every year, they need a keeper who is always on the top of their game and Casillas is no longer that man. Real are looking to land De Gea, but the Spaniard won’t come cheap and Manchester United will be reluctant to let him go.
If Real Madrid have trouble landing their main target then Petr Cech could prove to be a more than able alternate target who could fill in while Real muster up the resources needed to land De Gea in the future. Cech is exactly a year younger than Casillas, but the Czech International has been far more consistent than Casillas has been at the same age.
Chances of move happening: 6/10
5) Liverpool
Liverpool’s inclusion in the list may sound baffling to some, but I have my strong reasons to put the Reds in the list. The Merseyside outfit is currently reliant on Simon Mignolet between the sticks with the veteran Australian Brad Jones acting as backup to Mignolet. Although Mignolet is currently enjoying a good period in goal, the Belgian has proven that he is not reliable enough for a team like Liverpool.
Mignolet’s goalkeeping abilities were put into question during his first season at the club when he started conceding cheap goals. Since he was replacing a goalkeeper of the calibre of Pepe Reina, there were huge expectations surrounding the former Sunderland man. During the current season Mignolet was the target of some heavy criticism from Liverpool fans and former players as well due to his erratic form in goal.
Eventually Mignolet was dropped for a few games and Brad Jones was given a chance to shine, but the Australian was equally poor, if not worse. Jones is now set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract expires leaving Liverpool with the inconsistent Mignolet in goal.
If the Reds want to push hard for a Top 4 finish, they need a keeper like Cech who they can rely on to save them some vital points.
Chances of move happening: 5/10
