Why Chelsea Goalkeeper Petr Cech Should Remain No. 1 Choice for Jose Mourinho

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Unlike their outfield colleagues, it's said goalkeepers reach their peak as they enter their 30s. If that is the case, Premier League clubs and the rest of Europe best prepare themselves for the arrival of one Petr Cech.

Now 31, this season marks his tenth in English football and in that time he has grown to become a legend at Chelsea, lifting trophies and breaking records in the process. Not only that, he has cemented his position as one of the finest goalkeepers to have graced British shores.


Considering that he has achieved so much, the fact that his best years are still expected ahead of him is a scary thought. Yet it could have been so different, of course.

A fractured skull, suffered in the now infamous 1-0 victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium in October 2006—a game that also saw his teammate Carlo Cudicini suffer serious injury—threatened to end Cech's top flight career.

He was on the sidelines for three months before making a surprise comeback against Liverpool at Anfield that January.

With or without their Czech stopper, Chelsea would have more than likely lost that day. Liverpool were on form, determined to come away with all three points and they did, winning 2-0.

Jose Mourinho's team had failed to deal with the Reds' tempo and desire, but those watching at the stadium and at home couldn't help notice that Cech's performance was a shadow of what we'd come to expect.