Petr Cech a shock inclusion in Chelsea's 25-man Premier League squad

[ASFN Admin]

Petr Cech is a shock inclusion in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad as emergency cover in case of a coronavirus outbreak. The 38 year-old, who returned to the Blues as technical and performance advisor last summer, will essentially be Chelsea’s fifth-choice goalkeeper this season. A statement from Chelsea said: “Petr Cech has been included in the squad as emergency goalkeeper cover. This is a precautionary step due to the unprecedented conditions currently caused by the Covid-19 crisis. He takes up a position as a non-contract player.” t means Cech will continue to train on a regular basis with the first team this season, having amazed the Chelsea players and staff with his performances at the club’s Cobham base. Cech started training with the goalkeepers in a bid to help Kepa Arrizabalaga and offer guidance to new £22 million signing Edouard Mendy, who joined from Rennes. But it was immediately clear that Cech could still be playing at the highest level had he not retired on leaving Arsenal at the end of the 2018/19 season. Cech’s fitness and agility was such that Lampard publicly claimed he had retired too early and convinced players and staff that he could still be playing. It is highly unlikely that Cech will play for Chelsea again, given there are essentially three first-team goalkeepers ahead of him, but the club had a space in their 25-man squad and decided the former Czech Republic international should take it. Mendy has emerged as head coach Frank Lampard’s first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of error-prone Kepa and 39-year-old Willy Caballero. Chelsea also have 19-year-old Academy goalkeeper Karlo Ziger.

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