Petr Cech’s Chelsea reputation is at its lowest for quite some time. One of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers for the last half-decade made a big mistake on Saturday as Chelsea faced off against Wigan and allowed the Latics to get back into the game.
“I tried to catch the ball but it was too late,” Cech told Reporters after the game. “I deflected it and it could have gone anywhere but it went straight to their player, which was unfortunate. I should have done better but, when you don’t see the ball, it’s hard to do something differently. I’ll have to see the goal but the feeling I had on the pitch is this is not a goal I can be proud of.”
Indeed. What’s more, there have been a couple of occasions this season where he’s been at fault for conceding key goals.
But tales of Cech’s demise are much exaggerated. He’s still one of the Premier League’s very best and if anything this mistake may well make him play better over the coming weeks in an attempt to make amends. You can be sure that he wont let his concentration slip for a second this Christmas period.
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But it’s still worth considering what can be done to get the most out of Cech and whether Chelsea need to start seeking a long-term replacement for Petr.
What about Chelsea’s summer goalkeeper signing Thibaut Courtois? He was brought in this summer but immediately sent out on loan to Atletico Madrid. His time at Madrid has shown him to be extremely capable – he soon displaced Sergio Asenjo and established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper. What’s more he kept four clean sheets in his first six games.
Perhaps it would be worth recalling Courtois, who could act as second-fiddle to Cech. A gentle reminder to Petr that if he doesn’t perform there’s someone chomping at the bit to take his place.
In terms of a long-term replacement for Petr Cech, surely Tim Krul has to be a candidate? He’s one of the Premier League’s most underrated keepers (along with Michael Vorm) and I can’t help but think that he’d be a step up from Cech. At the moment, however he doesn’t have Cech’s level-headedness and experience and may not be suited to a role at a big club.
If Newcastle continue to dwell outside of the top four, however, he will surely be on his way to a new club sooner than later. Wouldn’t he be the ideal long-term heir to Cech’s throne?
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