With Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returning from a successful three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid, the Chelsea management now has another tough decision in its hands, the future of the Champions League winning stopper, Petr Cech.
Cech, who was signed by Mourinho in his first season in-charge during his initial spell at Stamford Bridge, has been nothing short of a revelation for the club. The keeper has kept more than 220 clean sheets for The Blues, and has had a key role to play in all of Chelsea’s triumphs including the Champions league 2012 glory, during which he made some remarkable and important saves.
Although, the return of Courtois, who has had an excellent loan spell for The Mattress Makers, winning the La Liga title and reaching the Champions league final, will make it very tough for Cech to find a place in playing XI regularly this season and the seasons to follow, if indeed Cech decides to stay at the club.
The ten year age difference is not making things any better for the Chelsea great. Even though both the keepers are performing very well, but keeping the future in prospect, the management at The Bridge is bound to incline towards the youngster who already has loads of experience at the highest level possible. The thought of Cech staying at the bench as a substitute, doesn’t strike as a very good idea. Aged 31, he definitely has quite a few years of the ability to perform at the top level, left in him.
Careful planning of the club’s future is imperative, but risking the career of a legend is not the way to go. He could definitely play for the club for a few more seasons, switching with Courtoison on a regular basis and helping the youngster improve by giving important inputs. This seems like an ideal scenario that every Blues’ fan would want to see, but considering the desire each of those players has to play every match, in the long run this strategy may not work out.
It’s really upon Mourinho, Abramovich and the management at the club to chalk out a plan and make a decision as soon as possible, or else it could result in a remarkable journey ending on a bad note, on the bench.
