Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea's Petr Cech and the goalkeeper could face his former club as soon as August 2 in the Community Shield. Talks over an £11m deal have been ongoing since the season ended and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has finally made the 33-year-old his first signing of the summer. Jose Mourinho was reluctant to sell Cech to a direct Barlcays Premier League rival but, although there has been no official confirmation, Sportsmail can reveal the transfer has gone through.
Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea's Petr Cech and here is what he could look like next season
Paris Saint-Germain formally approached Chelsea about the veteran but the Czech Republic international preferred to stay in London where his family are based.
Cech wanted to leave Chelsea after playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois during their title-winning season, and owner Roman Abramovich has granted him his wish.
Cech's arrival means either Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina, who is wanted by Fenerbahce, is likely to leave Arsenal this summer.
ARSENAL FIXTURES FOR CECH
Ospina ended last season as Wenger's No 1, playing a crucial role in guiding Arsenal to Champions League qualification in third place, but the Colombia international is the most likely to be sold.
Cech had one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but his move also means Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon could follow him to Arsenal.
Mourinho, meanwhile, is set to search for Cech's replacement with Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic understood to be his prime target.
Chelsea captain John Terry gave Arsenal supporters an idea of what to expect from Cech on Monday by claiming the man with four Premier League titles will save them '12 to 15 points a season'.
Cech spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge and Terry told talkSPORT the goalkeeper can be the difference between first and second place.
'If they (Arsenal) do get Pete he's going to strengthen them, for sure, and save them 12, 15 points a season,' the 34-year-old said.
Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 from Rennes and made 333 appearances in the Premier League for the club. He won four titles, four FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.
No comments:
Post a Comment