Profile :Name: Petr Cech
Nationality: Czech
Date of Birth: 20/05/1982
Height: 6' 5" (196cm)
Weight: 14st 6lbs (91.71kg)
Previous
Clubs: Sparta Prague, Stade Rennais
Position: Goalkeeper
The 2007/08 season was another stop-start one for Chelsea's back-to-back title winning goalkeeper.
Thankfully, there was nothing to match the very serious head injury suffered the previous campaign but Petr's 6ft 4in frame continued to suffer as it was afflicted by calf and hip problems, plus a nasty facial cut caused by a training ground accident.
As in the previous year, he recovered his fitness and was in good form as the club season reached the big climax of another cup final, this time the Champions League Final in Moscow.
An excellent double stop in that historic match kept Chelsea in the contest when under heavy first-half pressure and his penalty save from Cristiano Ronaldo, Petr's first in a shoot-out for Chelsea, set up a European Cup-winning chance, sadly not taken.
The number one choice between the posts for four seasons also had to adapt to a change oin goalkeeping coach. When Silvino Louro departed with José Mourinho, it was Christophe Lollichon, Petr's coach at his former club Rennes who came in.
Since the two last worked together, the pupil had established a name as the best keeper in the world, his reputation only enhanced by the remarkable way he had fought back to his best following an injury in October 2006 that had cast big doubts over the future of his career.
Showing the dedication and strong mind that had taken the Czech international to the top of his profession, Cech overcame a fractured skull to return just three months later.
Within weeks he had recorded a seven-game run for club and country without conceding a goal, all while sporting the skull protection that has become a trade mark. He was frequently outstanding for the rest of the 2006/07 season, not least in repelling a bullish Blackburn side in a semi-final at Old Trafford on the way to winning the FA Cup.
A new arrival in the summer of 2004 who at £7 million, cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr was bought to provide serious and healthy competition to the older Carlo Cudicini.
He immediately caught the eye with his height, incredible reaction speed and confidence in leaving his goal-line and began his Chelsea career as José Mourinho's first choice. He had to be good to keep Cudicini out.
A precocious talent, Petr built his reputation at Sparta Prague where at the age of 19 he broke the national record for the longest spell without conceding a goal.
Equally hard to beat in the Champions League, over 1,000 minutes in all competitions passed without a goal.
That earned a move to Rennes in France where midway through his second season he agreed to join Chelsea for the next campaign on a five-year contract.
At Under 21 international level he was a major factor in the crowning of the Czech Republic as 2002 European Champions while at senior level, Euro 2004 brought five clean sheets, a semi-final and a place in Uefa's all-star squad of the tournament.
A clean-sheet laden first season at Stamford Bridge was statistically the most accomplished by any Chelsea keeper.
A run of 1,024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March set a new English top flight record.
By the end of that season he had his first championship medal plus records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top flight season.
It was recognised with the award of the Barclays Golden Gloves for 2004/05.
Though the 2005/06 version of the Chelsea defence was never quite as watertight as the season before, Petr continued to excel and was a major force in capturing of a consecutive Premiership title.
It was all the more admirable for the fact that he had been playing for 14 months in pain from a shoulder injury.
With the other shoulder also damaged during the season, Petr went under the knife as soon as the Czech Republic's low-key 2006 World Cup ended.
He missed the opening games of the 2006/07 title defence but returned in late August in full working order once more.
However, a dreadful collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October left Petr with the damaged skull and requiring immediate surgery, 30 stitches and much rest. That his season would resume so soon and end so well with two cup final wins, no-one would have predicted at the time.
In 2007/08, Petr's form remained consistent, a few uncharacteristic mistakes apart. His own staunchest critic, he took full responsibility for a costly missed corner away to Arsenal, as he did during Euro 2008 when a late dropped catch allowed Turkey back into the final group game and the Czech side were ultimately eliminated.
A consummate professional, Petr will be working hard to ensure no repeat in the 2008/09 club campaign. Frighteningly for all opposition, he has well over a decade of football ahead of him to further improve.
It looks as though the majority at least of that time will be at Chelsea too, as Cech signed a new contract with the club in July, committing him to Stamford Bridge until at least 2013.
The new campaign started well, and by the end of 2009 just nine league goals had been conceded, with Cech keeping 11 Premier League clean sheets by the halfway point.
Season 2008 - 09
Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub) Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08 League 26 (0) 0
FA Cup 1 (0) 0
League Cup 3 (0) 0
Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07 League 20 (0) 0
FA Cup 6 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 8 (0) 0
Chelsea 2005 - 06 League 34 (0) 0
Euro Cups 7 (0) 0
Chelsea 2004 - 05 League 35 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 11 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2003 - 04 League 33 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2002 - 03 League 36 (0) 0
Sparta Prague 2001 - 02 Euro Cups 12 (0) 0
Article Source : http://www.chelseafc.com/
Thankfully, there was nothing to match the very serious head injury suffered the previous campaign but Petr's 6ft 4in frame continued to suffer as it was afflicted by calf and hip problems, plus a nasty facial cut caused by a training ground accident.
As in the previous year, he recovered his fitness and was in good form as the club season reached the big climax of another cup final, this time the Champions League Final in Moscow.
An excellent double stop in that historic match kept Chelsea in the contest when under heavy first-half pressure and his penalty save from Cristiano Ronaldo, Petr's first in a shoot-out for Chelsea, set up a European Cup-winning chance, sadly not taken.
The number one choice between the posts for four seasons also had to adapt to a change oin goalkeeping coach. When Silvino Louro departed with José Mourinho, it was Christophe Lollichon, Petr's coach at his former club Rennes who came in.
Since the two last worked together, the pupil had established a name as the best keeper in the world, his reputation only enhanced by the remarkable way he had fought back to his best following an injury in October 2006 that had cast big doubts over the future of his career.
Showing the dedication and strong mind that had taken the Czech international to the top of his profession, Cech overcame a fractured skull to return just three months later.
Within weeks he had recorded a seven-game run for club and country without conceding a goal, all while sporting the skull protection that has become a trade mark. He was frequently outstanding for the rest of the 2006/07 season, not least in repelling a bullish Blackburn side in a semi-final at Old Trafford on the way to winning the FA Cup.
A new arrival in the summer of 2004 who at £7 million, cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr was bought to provide serious and healthy competition to the older Carlo Cudicini.
He immediately caught the eye with his height, incredible reaction speed and confidence in leaving his goal-line and began his Chelsea career as José Mourinho's first choice. He had to be good to keep Cudicini out.
A precocious talent, Petr built his reputation at Sparta Prague where at the age of 19 he broke the national record for the longest spell without conceding a goal.
Equally hard to beat in the Champions League, over 1,000 minutes in all competitions passed without a goal.
That earned a move to Rennes in France where midway through his second season he agreed to join Chelsea for the next campaign on a five-year contract.
At Under 21 international level he was a major factor in the crowning of the Czech Republic as 2002 European Champions while at senior level, Euro 2004 brought five clean sheets, a semi-final and a place in Uefa's all-star squad of the tournament.
A clean-sheet laden first season at Stamford Bridge was statistically the most accomplished by any Chelsea keeper.
A run of 1,024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March set a new English top flight record.
By the end of that season he had his first championship medal plus records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top flight season.
It was recognised with the award of the Barclays Golden Gloves for 2004/05.
Though the 2005/06 version of the Chelsea defence was never quite as watertight as the season before, Petr continued to excel and was a major force in capturing of a consecutive Premiership title.
It was all the more admirable for the fact that he had been playing for 14 months in pain from a shoulder injury.
With the other shoulder also damaged during the season, Petr went under the knife as soon as the Czech Republic's low-key 2006 World Cup ended.
He missed the opening games of the 2006/07 title defence but returned in late August in full working order once more.
However, a dreadful collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October left Petr with the damaged skull and requiring immediate surgery, 30 stitches and much rest. That his season would resume so soon and end so well with two cup final wins, no-one would have predicted at the time.
In 2007/08, Petr's form remained consistent, a few uncharacteristic mistakes apart. His own staunchest critic, he took full responsibility for a costly missed corner away to Arsenal, as he did during Euro 2008 when a late dropped catch allowed Turkey back into the final group game and the Czech side were ultimately eliminated.
A consummate professional, Petr will be working hard to ensure no repeat in the 2008/09 club campaign. Frighteningly for all opposition, he has well over a decade of football ahead of him to further improve.
It looks as though the majority at least of that time will be at Chelsea too, as Cech signed a new contract with the club in July, committing him to Stamford Bridge until at least 2013.
The new campaign started well, and by the end of 2009 just nine league goals had been conceded, with Cech keeping 11 Premier League clean sheets by the halfway point.
Season 2008 - 09
Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub) Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08 League 26 (0) 0
FA Cup 1 (0) 0
League Cup 3 (0) 0
Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07 League 20 (0) 0
FA Cup 6 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 8 (0) 0
Chelsea 2005 - 06 League 34 (0) 0
Euro Cups 7 (0) 0
Chelsea 2004 - 05 League 35 (0) 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0
Euro Cups 11 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2003 - 04 League 33 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2002 - 03 League 36 (0) 0
Sparta Prague 2001 - 02 Euro Cups 12 (0) 0
Article Source : http://www.chelseafc.com/
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