Petr Cech will return to Chelsea this summer in a new sporting director role at the club, Sky Sports News has learnt.
The Arsenal goalkeeper, who turned 37 on Monday, announced he will retire from playing after next Wednesday's Europa League final in Azerbaijan against his former - and future - employers at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been without a technical director since Michael Emenalo's resignation in November 2017, as director Marina Granovskaia has taken on the majority of his old duties since he departed the club.
It is not clear at this stage exactly what responsibilities Cech will have, but he could share some of the burden in terms of recruitment and bridging the gap between the board and the manager.
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Petr is a classy guy but it would seem odd to start him in the Europa Final now. A bit like De Vrij went he left Lazio and cost them CL football against his new side Inte
Cech rejoining Chelsea as Sporting Director
posted on 21/5/19
comment by Tu Meke Mesut (U3732)
posted 14 minutes ago
It's not about him deliberately throwing a game.
The fact he's clearly been negotiating with them recently shows he has a bias towards them (which he obviously had anyway). These little biases can come come out in strange ways, deliberate or not. All it takes is a split second of doubt or weakness.
And on top of that, Leno is clearly a better keeper anyway. We don't owe Cech anything.
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Cannot disagree enough. Cech is a professional and despite his obvious Chelsea loyalties he's been a decent servant to Arsenal FC. There will be no biases if/when he takes the field. He's a keeper for Arsenal and he'll do the best of his abilities to ensure he signs off his career with a European trophy.
posted on 21/5/19
Serial
posted on 22/5/19
Disagree with you both, I wouldn't take any chances.
posted on 22/5/19
Yeah well I disagree with you treble, so there
posted on 22/5/19
Emery’s stuck with him through most of the Europa campaign so I would have thought he’ll start.
posted on 22/5/19
Better to start Leno.
posted on 22/5/19
He's a professional, he wouldn't throw a game. it would tarnish his career, when has he done anything like it before?
posted on 22/5/19
comment by Tu Meke Mesut (U3732)
posted 10 hours, 32 minutes ago
Disagree with you both, I wouldn't take any chances.
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Agree with Tu here. He shouldnt start this game.
Nothing to do with not trusting him but subconsciously doing things he wouldnt do normally. Wouldnt take a risk on that.
posted on 22/5/19
And it's a no from me too. The subconscious possibilities aside, whole thing becomes a potential PR nightmare for both clubs, if a controversial goalkeeping moment costs Arsenal the match.
All things considered, I'd have thought it a given that he won't start the match and isn't likely to play other than a few "Thanks Petr" two mins, if we have the game won.
Kinda sucks for him that Chelsea are our opponents really.
posted on 22/5/19
comment by Pep The Final Straw!! (Formerly WB2) (U8276)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
And it's a no from me too. The subconscious possibilities aside, whole thing becomes a potential PR nightmare for both clubs, if a controversial goalkeeping moment costs Arsenal the match.
All things considered, I'd have thought it a given that he won't start the match and isn't likely to play other than a few "Thanks Petr" two mins, if we have the game won.
Kinda sucks for him that Chelsea are our opponents really.
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this comment confirms he will start