Petr Cech

[Freddy Adu]

Chelsea keeper Cech: I'll keep getting better
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech expects to get better and better in the coming years.
"I hope that everyone is right and the best time for a goalkeeper is around 30 because it means in four or five years I will be even better," he said.
"I will get more experience and I will get different views on football and the way I play. I can only progress.

"I think even with training more, your body adapts more to the game. I think I still get stronger and quicker. I hope when I'm 30 I can be even better."

[Freddy Adu]

Cech: Chelsea players accept Drogba outburst

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech insists the players have no problems with Didier Drogba's outburst last week.

Drogba declared in France Football that he's been unsettled at Chelsea since the first day he arrived, but Cech insists there can be no doubting his commitment.

He said: "Didier opened his heart in his interview but the main importance for the players, the club and the fans should be the fact that on the pitch he has always been brilliant and fighting 100%.

"Every player has the right to say what he thinks. For us the most important thing is that he plays on the pitch for the team. You can see that in any game, he is 100% for us and wants to score goals and win and that is the main thing."

[Brasil]

Cech ruled out of Everton clash


Written by: AFP

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, seen here in October 2007, will miss Sunday´s Premier League clash against Everton after a scan confirmed he has a torn calf muscle. LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will miss Sunday's Premier League clash against Everton after a scan confirmed he has a torn calf muscle. Cech was forced to come off at half-time in Tuesday's Champions League draw at Schalke 04 after sustaining the small tear early in the tie. The Czech Republic star doesn't know exactly how he got the injury but he will definitely be sidelined this weekend. Cech said: "I don't know exactly how it happened. I only know that I felt a pain from the 10th minute of the match. Nevertheless I played the first half. "I feel bad that I will be out right now when myself as well as my team are both doing well." Chelsea's club doctor Bryan English believes Cech may miss his country's forthcoming internationals as well. "It's still early but it's almost certain he will miss the game this weekend," English told the club's website. "We will also be liaising with the Czech FA's medical department about Petr's injury. Hopefully the international break will allow time for the injury to improve."

Put your money on Everton boys

[soccerpunterexpert]

manz... pls do not let there be a repeat of last season.

without Cech and Terry.. Argh!

[Freddy Adu]

Grant defiant as Carvalho joins Chelsea soccer crocks


Written by: AFP

	Avram Grant has insisted that Chelsea´s bid to get back into the title race will not be derailed by an injury list which has been lengthened to include Ricardo Carvalho, seen here,

LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant has insisted that Chelsea's bid to get back into the title race will not be derailed by an injury list which has been lengthened to include Ricardo Carvalho.

Chelsea, already without goalkeeper Petr Cech, captain John Terry and Paulo Ferreira, lost the Portuguese centre-back during the first half of their 1-1 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Carvalho was due to have a scan on the back injury, sustained as he challenged Everton forward Ayegbeni Yakubu for a high ball, and, despite his defiant message, Grant knows he can ill afford to be without one half of his first-choice defensive partnership.

The Israeli acknowledged: "We have too many injuries at the moment, and it is not easy to play without key players like Terry and Cech, as well as Paulo Ferreira.

"But this is why we have a big squad. We have players who can come in and replace those who are injured."

Grant's team were denied a fifth consecutive Premier League victory by a superb overhead-kick in the 89th minute by Everton’s Australian midfielder Tim Cahill - a setback that means they now trail champions Manchester United by five points.

Cahill has returned to the Everton team only recently after a foot injury, but he has already scored three times - in the UEFA Cup against Larissa, in the League Cup against Luton, and now in the Premier League to clinch a crucial point for his team.

Didier Drogba had given Chelsea the lead in the 70th minute with a near-post header, and David Moyes, the Everton manager, is well aware of Cahill’s importance to his team.

Cahill signed a new five-year contract with Everton during the summer, and Moyes acknowledged that persuading the Australia star to put pen to paper was one of the finest achievements of his reign at Goodison Park.

Moyes said: "Tim Cahill’s goal showed what he is all about. He is a player who will always score goals.

"It was a fantastic finish, and one which required great athleticism. He has all the qualities needed to be successful when he is near the goal, and he is so crucial for us.

"Persuading Tim to sign a new deal was one of my most important acts as Everton manager - as it was to get midfielder Mikel Arteta and forward Andy Johnson to sign long-term contracts.

"All three of those players will hopefully be with us for years to come. We are building a good group here at Everton."

After taking over from Jose Mourinho in September, Grant vowed to create a Chelsea team that placed more emphasis on attacking flair than that of his predecessor.

They had plenty of chances to score against Everton, but Grant's team found the American goalkeeper Tim Howard in magnificent form, and Drogba - although he scored the goal - was not as ruthless as he usually is.

Grant said: "When a team wants to play attacking football, it is normal that they will try to score the second and third goals after they have scored the first.

"I wasn’t happy with the result against Everton, but I was happy with the football we played."

Drogba's seventh goal of the season was followed by an exuberant celebration from a forward who, only a month ago, had declared his intention to quit the club in search of a new challenge.

Grant revealed that he had yet to hear anything directly from Drogba about his future plans.

"I see Drogba play with a lot of passion, and he scored a good goal today. It is important what he says to me. He didn't say anything to me about leaving."

The upcoming two-week domestic break for internationals gives Chelsea and their Premier League rivals the chance to regroup, and Grant is convinced his team will return in rejuvenated form for their match against bottom side Derby County on November 24.

He said: "I am sure that when we come back, we will quickly start to play the good football that we have managed to play in our recent matches." Grant defiant as Carvalho joins Chelsea soccer crocks


Written by: AFP

	Avram Grant has insisted that Chelsea´s bid to get back into the title race will not be derailed by an injury list which has been lengthened to include Ricardo Carvalho, seen here,

LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant has insisted that Chelsea's bid to get back into the title race will not be derailed by an injury list which has been lengthened to include Ricardo Carvalho.

Chelsea, already without goalkeeper Petr Cech, captain John Terry and Paulo Ferreira, lost the Portuguese centre-back during the first half of their 1-1 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Carvalho was due to have a scan on the back injury, sustained as he challenged Everton forward Ayegbeni Yakubu for a high ball, and, despite his defiant message, Grant knows he can ill afford to be without one half of his first-choice defensive partnership.

The Israeli acknowledged: "We have too many injuries at the moment, and it is not easy to play without key players like Terry and Cech, as well as Paulo Ferreira.

"But this is why we have a big squad. We have players who can come in and replace those who are injured."

Grant's team were denied a fifth consecutive Premier League victory by a superb overhead-kick in the 89th minute by Everton’s Australian midfielder Tim Cahill - a setback that means they now trail champions Manchester United by five points.

Cahill has returned to the Everton team only recently after a foot injury, but he has already scored three times - in the UEFA Cup against Larissa, in the League Cup against Luton, and now in the Premier League to clinch a crucial point for his team.

Didier Drogba had given Chelsea the lead in the 70th minute with a near-post header, and David Moyes, the Everton manager, is well aware of Cahill’s importance to his team.

Cahill signed a new five-year contract with Everton during the summer, and Moyes acknowledged that persuading the Australia star to put pen to paper was one of the finest achievements of his reign at Goodison Park.

Moyes said: "Tim Cahill’s goal showed what he is all about. He is a player who will always score goals.

"It was a fantastic finish, and one which required great athleticism. He has all the qualities needed to be successful when he is near the goal, and he is so crucial for us.

"Persuading Tim to sign a new deal was one of my most important acts as Everton manager - as it was to get midfielder Mikel Arteta and forward Andy Johnson to sign long-term contracts.

"All three of those players will hopefully be with us for years to come. We are building a good group here at Everton."

After taking over from Jose Mourinho in September, Grant vowed to create a Chelsea team that placed more emphasis on attacking flair than that of his predecessor.

They had plenty of chances to score against Everton, but Grant's team found the American goalkeeper Tim Howard in magnificent form, and Drogba - although he scored the goal - was not as ruthless as he usually is.

Grant said: "When a team wants to play attacking football, it is normal that they will try to score the second and third goals after they have scored the first.

"I wasn’t happy with the result against Everton, but I was happy with the football we played."

Drogba's seventh goal of the season was followed by an exuberant celebration from a forward who, only a month ago, had declared his intention to quit the club in search of a new challenge.

Grant revealed that he had yet to hear anything directly from Drogba about his future plans.

"I see Drogba play with a lot of passion, and he scored a good goal today. It is important what he says to me. He didn't say anything to me about leaving."

The upcoming two-week domestic break for internationals gives Chelsea and their Premier League rivals the chance to regroup, and Grant is convinced his team will return in rejuvenated form for their match against bottom side Derby County on November 24.

He said: "I am sure that when we come back, we will quickly start to play the good football that we have managed to play in our recent matches."

[Oscar Cardozo]

Cech admits Barcelona interest

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted he would be interested in a move to Spanish glamour side Barcelona.

The 25-year-old Czech international has been integral to ChelseaÕs success, and although he signed a four-year contract extension last year, Cech is one of the players most upset by former boss Jose Mourinho's departure.

Cech said: "So far I have been very happy at Chelsea and I've started to love the Premier League. I have got used to the way of life in London and my wife and I like it.

"But in the case of Barcelona showing interest, yes, certainly it would be worth considering."

[Freddy Adu]

Chelsea keeper Cech denies Barcelona claims

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has issued a statement on the club's official web site in response to media reports quoting the player as being tempted by the prospect of joining Barcelona.

The 25-year-old Czech Republic international, who expects to be out for another month with a calf injury, only signed a new four-year contract in February last year.

"There are a few stories that have appeared today in the press quoting me that I was interested in a move to Barcelona. These were taken from an interview I gave back in 2003 when I was at Rennes.

"I am very happy at Chelsea and this is where I see my future."

[Freddy Adu]

Cech hails Chelsea keeper rivals

Petr Cech has heaped praise on Chelsea goalkeeper rival Carlo Cudicini.

He told the Chelsea website: "You always want to be on the pitch, but what has been great for years here is that Carlo has been here.

"All the players have big confidence in him, know what he is capable of, and it's good for the team that when I get injured, they know they have a quality goalkeeper behind. It's a big advantage.

"Injuries happen, and you should have a quality backup, and we can say we are lucky to have Hilario as well. Last time when Carlo and I were injured he did really well and was important for us. He has experience, a lot of games in Portugal, and we can say we have no problem whatsoever because we have three goalkeepers who can play."

[Freddy Adu]

Cech delighted with Lollichon's Chelsea arrival

Petr Cech has backed Chelsea's appointment of Christophe Lollichon as new goalkeeper coach.

Cech worked with Lollichon at Rennes and told Chelsea's website: "I am looking forward to it, Avram asked me if I know someone I would like to work with. Christophe is good for me because I know his work, I had a really positive spell in France, one of my best years working with him. Even though it's nearly three years, and every player develops, I am looking forward to it.

"I was in touch with him, he was making my programme for the gym sometimes, and I had a chance to have him here. I said I would like it, though of course it was a decision of the manager."

[Freddy Adu]

Lollichon: Chelsea No1 Cech as good as Buffon

Christophe Lollichon is confident of getting the best out of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Frenchman was named new Blues keeper coach this week and worked with Cech at Rennes. He said: "We had an amazing relationship. There are two keepers better than all the others - Petr Cech and Gianluigi Buffon in Italy."

[Freddy Adu]

S-H-U-T T-H-E F-U-C-K U-P
Some funny shit right there ^^^

[Brasil]

Cech injury mars Chelsea win


Written by: AFP

	Cech added to Chelsea´s growing injury crisis by limping out of the 1-0 win at Blackburn on Sunday with a suspected hip injury.

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech added to the club's growing injury crisis by limping out of the 1-0 win at Blackburn on Sunday with a suspected hip injury.

A first-half strike from England midfielder Joe Cole completed a fortuitous victory for Avram Grant's team, who were outplayed for long periods by the home side.

But the loss of Cech early in the second-half following a collision with Blackburn's Paraguayuan striker Roque Santa Cruz took the shine off Chelsea's victory, who now look certain to be without the Czech Republic keeper, as well as the already-injured John Terry and Didier Drogba, for the busy Christmas fixture programme.

Having won just once in seven league games ahead of this game, Blackburn were in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory ahead of the Festive period.

Chelsea were in the same predicament, however, after losing at Arsenal seven days earlier and anything but a win at Ewood Park would have left them with a sizeable gap to bridge between themselves and the top two.

Mark Hughes's men started the brighter, though, and the impressive David Bentley was at the heart of everything as Blackburn poured forward inside the opening 20 minutes.

Santa Cruz, who had scored five goals in his previous two games and ended up on the losing side on both occasions, saw a powerful shot blocked by Ricardo Carvalho on four minutes before England midfielder Bentley aimed a 20-yard strike narrowly over the crossbar three minutes later.

Former Arsenal youngster Bentley had been deployed in an advanced role just behind Santa Cruz and Chelsea afforded him far too much space. And after hitting the crossbar with a curling free-kick, Bentley sent Santa Cruz and a breakaway with a precise pass after dummying John-Obi Mikel.

Santa Cruz escaped defender Alex, in for the injured Terry, but his half-volley flew wide of Cech's right-hand post as Chelsea survived another scare.

Grant's team simply could not get a foothold in the game, but everything turned on 22 minutes when Cole put them ahead with Chelsea's first effort on goal.

Cole was found brilliantly by Salomon Kalou's through-ball and, without breaking stride, the former West Ham midfielder beat keeper Brad Friedel with an unstoppable right-foot strike into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

Blackburn fought back well, though, and Steven Reid was only denied an equaliser on 33 minutes when Cech tipped his close range strike onto the post. But Frank Lampard, chasing his 100th goal for Chelsea, hit the woodwork himself moments later when Friedel also pushed his 20-yard effort against the woodwork.

After such an open first-half, it was no surprise to see both teams tighten up defensively after the break and the chances that were free-flowing before the interval suddenly dried up.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien would have put the game beyond Blackburn on 61 minutes but for a crucial tackle by David Dunn inside the six yard box. Ghana star Essien was set to pull the trigger, but Dunn's perfectly timed tackle took the ball away at the decisive moment.

With Cech then succumbing to his hip injury, Blackburn attempted to take advantage of Hilario's lack of competitive action by peppering the Portuguese keeper with crosses and corners.

Hilario looked unconvincing every time a high ball came into the penalty area, but he arguably produced the save of the game when he dived full-length to keep out Santa Cruz's bullet header on 71 minutes.



If Cech gets injured that would be quite funny, Chelsea must've been bad for Karma to bite them in the ass at Christmas.

[Brasil]

Chelsea sweating on Cech injury


Written by: AFP

	Chelsea´s Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech (L) is helped from the field after he was injured during their English Premiership football match against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, Blackburn, north-west England, 23 December 2007.

BLACKBURN, England (AFP) - Chelsea face a nervous Christmas as goalkeeper Petr Cech waits to learn the extent of a hip injury sustained during Sunday's 1-0 win over Blackburn.

Cech limped out of the action in the second-half following a collision with Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz and his injury could prove costly for Chelsea, who are also without rib injury victim Carlo Cudicini for the home clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant said: "The situation with Cech is one that we will know once he has had a scan on the injury. We need to wait and see. With this kind of injury, it is better to wait.

"But I cannot lie and say that it is easy to be without players. It is very difficult to play for such a long time with so many injuries. I don't like it, but there is nothing that I can do about it.

"It was very difficult for Hilario to come into the game in place of Petr, but he did well. Cudicini's injury will take a few more days, so I don't have another goalkeeper for the Aston Villa game."

With Manchester United and Arsenal winning their games earlier in the weekend, Chelsea had no room for error as they attempted to close the gap on the leaders.

Cole's goal ensured that they lie six points behind leaders Arsenal, but Grant is confident that the gap can be overcome.

He said: "I am very happy with the victory because this is not an easy place to play, especially after drawing with Blackburn at home. We showed a lot of fighting spirit, made two or three chances and Hilario made a very good save, so I am happy.

"It was important to get three points with the other teams winning, though. Six points is not a big gap for us because the other teams will not win all of their games this season."

For Blackburn, the defeat was their fourth in succession, but manager Mark Hughes insisted that he could have no complaints about the performance of his players.

Hughes said: "That's four straight defeats now and it's frustrating because I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but we again showed plenty of quality.

"We were dynamic and created lots of angles to create chances and having David Bentley off the front man caused them problems. We hit the bar a couple of times in the first-half and, on another day, they would go in.

"We were caught by a sucker punch, though. We were wary of Chelsea getting the ball to feet in dangerous positions because they can set a trap for you in the way they they manage transition of play. That's what happened and we got done by it.

"In the second-half, it was difficult to coax Chelsea out because they are very adept at defending a lead. They are very good at getting players behind the ball and running the clock down, so it is very difficult to get level against teams like that."

[Freddy Adu]

Cech injury fears ease


Written by: AFP

	Chelsea´s goalkeeper Petr Cech(L) is helped from the field, 23 December 2007. Cech escaped serious injury and suffered just bruising to his hip when he limped out of the 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech escaped serious injury and suffered just bruising to his hip when he limped out of the 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

The London club said on Monday that the Czech international underwent a scan following the collision with Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz.

It was feared his injury could prove costly for the Stamford Bridge outfit, who are already without rib injury victim Carlo Cudicini for the home clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

"Scans have shown bruising around Petr's hip and side," said a Chelsea statement.

"We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and hope to have him back playing as soon as possible."

Third-choice keeper Hilario is likely to start against Villa on Wednesday.

[Freddy Adu]

Injury fears ease for Chelsea keeper Cech


Written by: AFP

	Chelsea´s goalkeeper Petr Cech (L) is helped from the field, December 23. Cech escaped serious injury and suffered just bruising to his hip when he limped out of the 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech escaped serious injury and suffered just bruising to his hip when he limped out of the 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

The London club said on Monday that the Czech international underwent a scan following the collision with Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz.

It was feared his injury could prove costly for the Stamford Bridge outfit, who are already without rib injury victim Carlo Cudicini for the home clash with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

"Scans have shown bruising around Petr's hip and side," said a Chelsea statement.

"We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and hope to have him back playing as soon as possible."

Third-choice keeper Hilario is likely to start against Villa on Wednesday.