Cech hopes to haunt Chelsea in his farewell to the Europa League final



[ad_1]

Cech, 37, had the best years of his career at Stamford Bridge by winning 13 trophies, including four Premier League and Champions League titles, in 11 seasons with Chelsea, before moving to London for Arsenal in 2015.

And his close relationship with Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea, should allow him to return to the blues in the coming weeks as the new sports director of the club.

Cech lost his number one Arsenal status in the first season of Unai Emery. Bernd Leno has taken power in the Premier League since September, but the Czech veteran has started all knockout matches to reach the final of the Europa League.

The success of the Arsenal season depends not only on the lifting of a first European trophy for 25 years in Baku, but also on qualifying for the Champions League, which will come with victory.

Emery has the difficult decision of giving Cech a farewell, or choosing coldly but cautiously to play Leno's first choice goalie.

"I will make a decision regarding my future after the last game," said Cech at the announcement of his imminent return to Chelsea. "My only goal is to win the Europa League with Arsenal."

Emery thinks that Cech has the experience and professionalism needed to rule out any distractions badociated with a possible return to his former club.

"Speaking of Petr Cech, we can be here for three days and these are positive things," Emery said.

"I only know him this year, but he is incredible, incredible as a person, incredible as a goalkeeper, his past, his experience, incredible.

"He is here because he deserves to be here, he was playing the last few matches with a great performance, I want to enjoy this final with him and I am a privileged coach to work with him."

Talented Cech

A man of many talents, Czech speaks five languages ​​and his love of drumming has enabled him to release a charity single earlier this month alongside Queen Roger's drummer.

However, it was on the pitch that he really shone despite a terrible head injury in 2006 that fractured his skull and threatened him with death.

After an emergency surgery, Cech returned to the field just three months later, but had to wear his now-recognized helmet to protect his skull from further damage for the rest of his career.

That did not detain him, Cech proved to be a last reliable line of defense in a decade in which officials have followed each other at Stamford Bridge.

His crowning glory was saving penalties in overtime and shootout while Chelsea overturned the chances of finally lifting the Champions League in 2012, beating Bayern Munich in the final.

The Europa League followed a season later, but after the return of Thibaut Courtois after a three-year loan to Atletico Madrid, Cech lost his number one spot from Jose Mourinho.

Another player may have been forced to look further afield for a new club, but Cech's close relationship with Abramovich has allowed the Russian billionaire to make his way to Arsenal.

Cech did not reach the same level at Emirates as his debut at Chelsea, but he still became the first goalkeeper to record 200 draws in the Premier League, which shows its consistency for 15 years.

One more chapter of a fabulous career could still be written in Baku before Cech hangs up his gloves.

"My last dream was to play this European final with Arsenal and the last step is to win it," he told BT Sport.

[ad_2]
Source link