Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech unwilling to play second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will not play second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has told the club management that he will “not be a bench-warmer” next season, thereby opening the door to a potential transfer away from the club.

The Czech Republic shot stopper has been between the sticks for a decade at Stamford Bridge now and his position as No. 1 is now under threat with the return of Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois. With two world class goalkeepers in the squad, Blues boss Jose Mourinho will have a tough decision to make.

The Portuguese manager called Courtois “the best young goalkeeper in the world” after he had a stellar season on loan at Atletico Madrid last season, helping them win the La Liga title ahead of Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. He is now back at the club permanently.

Cech said: “I don’t want to be on the bench. This is why I am trying to do everything to be in the team.”

“I don’t want to talk about ifs and buts. Let’s see how I am going and what happens. You know I always give my best and obviously that is all I can do. I will do my best and do everything I can do to be as ready as possible for when the season starts.

Doing everything I can to play in the starting eleven: Cech

Cech is currently 32 years old with loads of experience in the Premier League. Courtois is only 22, but is the same age at which Cech made it into the Chelsea team sheet.

“Obviously Jose Mourinho will make his choice and decide how his team is going to look for the first game, second game, third game, whatever game,” Cech continued.

“It is up to us players to show we are ready to play and make him pick us. I am not any different. I am doing everything I can to make him pick me.”