Petr Čech

Petr Čech
Petr Čech.jpg
Personal information
Full name Petr Čech
Date of birth 20 May 1982 (1982-05-20) (age 27)
Place of birth    Plzeň, Czech Republic
(former Czechoslovakia)
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club Chelsea
Number 1
Youth clubs
1989–1999 Plzeň
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1999–2001
2001–2002
2002–2004
2004–		 Blšany
Sparta Prague
Stade Rennes
Chelsea		 027 (0)
027 (0)
070 (0)
128 (0)   
National team2
2002– Czech Republic 068 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 9 November 2008.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 19 November 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)

Petr Čech ([ˈpɛtr̩ ˈʧɛx]), (born 20 May 1982 in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic) is a Czech international football goalkeeper who is currently contracted to English Premier League football club Chelsea, for whom he has played since July 2004. Petr Čech has previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals.[1] Čech also received the individual award of Best Goalkeeper in the 2004/2005, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 season of the UEFA Champions League. In addition, he was named in the FIFPro and UEFA Champions League teams of the season in 2006.

He currently holds three records: a Czech professional league record of not conceding a goal in 855 competitive minutes, an English Premiership record of not conceding a goal in 1,025 minutes, and the most clean sheets accomplished in a single Premier League season (25), set during Chelsea’s 2004—05 title-winning campaign. He also has a club record at his former team Sparta Praha, having gone 928 minutes unbeaten in all competitions in 2001—2002, when his unbeaten run in Czech league competition was combined with his performances in the UEFA Champions League.

Contents

Club career

Czech Republic and France

Čech started out as a midfielder/striker for the youth team of his hometown club FC Viktoria Plzeň, occasionally taking the goalkeeping position in games. When he broke his leg at age 10, he switched to playing as the goalkeeper instead.[2]

Čech made his senior-level debut as a 17-year-old for FK Chmel Blšany in 1999.[3]

Following a €700,000 transfer to AC Sparta Praha, Čech won a first-team place four matches into the Czech season, and proceeded to set a national record by going 855 minutes without conceding a goal. Just for good measure, he began Sparta’s UEFA Champions League campaign by shutting out holders FC Bayern München and was not beaten until Matchday 5. After just one season at the Letná, Čech joined Stade Rennais FC in July 2002 for a reported fee of €5m. He played all but five of Rennes' games as they finished ninth in the team’s 2003-04 Ligue 1 season.

Chelsea

It was Claudio Ranieri, then manager of Chelsea, who decided that Čech was his choice as understudy to Carlo Cudicini.[4] After the original bid was rejected,[5] Rennes accepted a second in February. Čech agreed a summer move to Chelsea for £7 m (€10.3 m), signing a five-year contract, to commence in July 2004.[6] This transfer meant that he had cost more than every other Chelsea goalkeeper in history put together. Čech’s transfer from Rennes was one of those about which the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007 expressed concerns because of the lack of co-operation from agents Pini Zahavi and Barry Silkman.[7]

When he arrived at Chelsea, Carlo Cudicini was Chelsea's established first choice, but after Cudicini suffered a pre-season elbow injury, Čech was promoted into the starting spot, which he kept into the new season. He kept a clean sheet in his Premier League debut in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

On 5 March 2005 Čech set a new Premiership record of 1,025 minutes without letting in a goal. He finally conceded from Leon McKenzie of Norwich City, after keeping a clean sheet in the league since 12 December 2004 when Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal.[8] Čech was given a special award by the Premier League for the new record, and he was also awarded the Golden Gloves at the end of the 2004—05 season for keeping a record 25 clean sheets. Chelsea retained the Premiership title in 2005—06, with Čech playing in all but two games in the League. The team conceded only 15 goals in the entire League season, also a record.

He signed a new contract on 1 February 2006 which will keep him at the club until 2010.

Čech underwent minor shoulder surgery on 27 June 2006 to repair a long-standing injury stemming from the previous English Premiership season.[9] Čech returned to action on 27 August 2006 during Chelsea’s Premier League match versus Blackburn, keeping a clean sheet.[10]

Head injury

On 14 October 2006, Čech and Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt both challenged for the ball inside Chelsea's penalty area in the first minute of a league match at the Madejski Stadium. Hunt’s knee hit Čech's head, leaving the keeper dazed. Čech was immediately taken off and replaced by Carlo Cudicini, who himself was knocked unconscious later in the same game. Čech underwent surgery for a depressed skull fracture.[11] The injury nearly cost Čech his life,[12] and as a result of the collision, he suffered intense headaches and was warned by his doctor that returning too early could be fatal.[13] Speaking shortly afterwards, Čech’s father claimed his son would be out of football for a year.[14]

Chelsea manager José Mourinho blamed Hunt for Čech's injury, saying "The challenge was a disgrace. He is lucky to still be alive."[15] He also criticised the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust[16] and match referee Mike Riley.[17] Also because Čech is a triplet his skull is weaker than that of the average person.[18] Much media comment followed, some agreeing with, some condemning Mourinho's claims.[19] A number of commentators, including current and former goalkeepers, saw the incident as highlighting the need for greater protection for keepers.[20][21]

Following hospital treatment, Čech returned home on 24 October 2006 and in the following week he came back to a period of light training. However, Chelsea announced that the goalkeeper would be out for three months, in line with medical advice on the time needed for complete recovery from the skull fracture.[22] In an interview on Chelsea TV, Čech said that he had no memory of the injury itself.

Return

Čech made his comeback against Liverpool on 20 January 2007, wearing a rugby style headguard, which he continued to wear in every game until the end of the season. The headguard was made by Canterbury of New Zealand, a company that specialises in protective rugby gear, and includes extra plastic polymer foam protection to cover the areas of his skull weakened by the collision. Čech’s use of the headguard caused initial friction with Chelsea’s apparel manufacturer Adidas, which were not pleased by a Chelsea player apparently advertising for another company, but the controversy quickly blew over.

In spite of the considerable time lapsed since the injury, Čech has continued to wear the headguard owing to a weaker than normal bone structure in his skull, a product of him being one of triplets.[23] He will almost certainly wear it for the remainder of his career.[24]

Although Chelsea lost Čech's comeback match 2-0, he then went approximately 810 minutes of Premiership play without conceding a goal. On 11 April 2007, Čech was awarded the FA Premier League Player of the Month award for the first time in his career in recognition of the eight successive league clean sheets he had kept. He also was the first goalkeeper to receive the award since Tim Flowers in 2000.[25] This run was ended during a 4-1 Chelsea victory over West Ham United on 18 April 2007 when Carlos Tevez scored against him.

Following his injury and comeback, Čech was one of the players named by then-coach José Mourinho as an 'untouchable' and was presented with the Chelsea Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of his remarkable comeback from a serious injury.

Čech also kept a clean sheet for Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. He shared with United’s Edwin van der Sar the honour of being the first goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over 90 minutes in a competitive fixture, but became the first goalkeeper to end a competitive game unbeaten at the new Wembley Stadium, as Chelsea beat United 1-0 to win the FA Cup.[26]

2007-08 season

Čech’s 2007-08 season got off to a rough start with Chelsea conceding 2 goals against Birmingham City on the first match of the season. Despite the setback, Chelsea managed to win 3-2 and set an English record for unbeaten league matches at home.[27]

On 7 November 2007, Čech suffered an ankle injury in the 0-0 Champions League Match at Schalke 04. This sidelined him for a few weeks before badly bruising his hip against Blackburn on 23 December 2007.[28]

Chelsea suffered their first major blow when they lost the Carling Cup Final to Tottenham, with Čech parrying the ball onto Jonathan Woodgate’s head for the winner.[29] He played in several games until the eve of Chelsea’s home Champions League tie with Greek champions Olympiacos when he injured his ankle in training.[30][31] In the weeks that followed, Čech missed key games of Chelsea’s campaign including the Arsenal London derby and the Champions League quarter-final first and second legs.

On 7 April 2008 it was announced that Čech had undergone emergency surgery on his chin and lips following an accidental collision with Tal Ben Haim during training.[32][33] He had 50 stiches put on his mouth and chin, having missed 22 games this season due to injuries, Čech said he hoped to get back on the field within a few weeks.[34] He returned to action on 14 April, in a home match against Wigan, which Chelsea drew 1-1. He appeared in the Champions league final against Manchester United, where Chelsea lost on penalties, with Cech only managing to save one penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.

2008-09 season

Cech started off the 2008/09 season in stunning form, with Chelsea keeping clean sheets in their opening two matches in the Premier League. With twelve league matches played, the Blues had conceded just four goals and kept eight clean sheets; seven of which with Cech in goal. In November 2008, Chelsea beat Sunderland 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, a result that gave Cech a century of Chelsea clean-sheets. As of 10 November, 2008 - a 2-0 away victory at Blackburn Rovers, Cech has kept 101 clean sheets in 182 appearances for a side, giving Cech a 55% clean-sheet ratio.

International career

Čech was part of the Czech Euro 2004 team. Some stunning saves helped his team progress as far as the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Greece on the silver goal rule. He was named in the all-star team as best goalkeeper at the tournament.

The Czech Republic qualified for the 2006 World Cup, held in Germany, and were placed in Group E, alongside Ghana, Italy and the United States. The Czech Republic was placed third by the end of the group stages, and with one win against the United States, winning by 3—0, and two losses against Ghana and Italy, the score 2—0 in both games, the Czech Republic did not advance to the second round.

On 17 October 2007, Čech was captain of the Czech Republic team for their Euro 2008 Group D qualifier against Germany. He kept a clean sheet and the Czechs defeated Germany 3—0 away to book their place for the finals in Austria and Switzerland. In the last group game of the final tournament, Čech was beaten three times in the final 15 minutes as Turkey overcame a two-goal deficit to knock the Czechs out. Čech had a cross slip through his hands, allowing Nihat Kahveci to score the second (equalising) goal.

After the blunder against Turkey, he took full responsibility of his team's exit from the UEFA Euro 2008 and actually considered retiring but then he was talked out of it and he stated that he wants to keep representing the Czech Republic "for many years to come" and also stated that he wants to repay his mistake and confidence that all the Czech Republic's players have in him.

Career statistics

Club Performance
Club Season Stats
Apps C.S. C.S. % Yellows Reds
Chelsea 2008-09 11 8 72 % 0 0
2007-08 21 15 71 % 1 0
2006-07 20 13 65 % 1 0
2005-06 34 17 50 % 1 0
2004-05 37 25 68 % 0 0
Rennes 2003-04 33 12 36 % 1 0
2002-03 37 12 32 % 0 0
Sparta Prague 2001-02 27 17 63 % 0 0
Blšany 2000-01 37 25 68 % 0 0
1999-00 1 0 0 % 0 0
Total 238 120 50 %[35] 4 0

League games only.

Honours

Čech and former teammate Arjen Robben celebrate their second Premiership title.

Rennes

Chelsea

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Chris Hatherall (2004-07-05). "Four All-Star Lions", thefa.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-07. 
  2. ↑ "Player Profile - Petr Čech". CFCnet. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  3. ↑ "Profile and Career History of Petr Čech". About.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  4. ↑ "Čech dubbed world's best keeper". BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  5. ↑ "Chelsea Čech bid rejected". BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  6. ↑ "Chelsea sign Čech". BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  7. ↑ "Drogba deal, Zihavi and five clubs in transfer spotlight", espnstar.com (2007-06-15). Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 
  8. ↑ "Chelsea's magic numbers". BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  9. ↑ "Keeper Čech has shoulder surgery". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  10. ↑ "Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  11. ↑ "Keeper Čech has surgery on skull", BBC Sport (2006-10-15). Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  12. ↑ "I will BE BACK", The Daily Mirror (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2006-11-16. 
  13. ↑ "Doctors: Čech out for rest of season", soccerway.com (2006-10-16). Retrieved on 2006-11-16. 
  14. ↑ "My boy will be out for one year", The Sun (2006-10-17). Retrieved on 2006-10-17. 
  15. ↑ "Mourinho angry as keepers injured", BBC Sport (2006-10-14). Retrieved on 2006-10-16. 
  16. ↑ "Royals were right over Cech", ITV Sport (2006-10-18). Retrieved on 2006-10-21. 
  17. ↑ "Referee Riley: I did not make Cech leave the pitch for treatment", The Daily Mail (2006-10-16). Retrieved on 2006-10-21. 
  18. ↑ Cech aims to stay ahead of the game
  19. ↑ See Stephen Hunt (Irish footballer)#The Petr Čech incident for links to the debate in the media and elsewhere.
  20. ↑ "Wenger fears for keepers' safety", bbc (2006-10-17). Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
  21. ↑ "English head games", Sports Illustrated (2006-10-19). Retrieved on 2006-10-20. 
  22. ↑ "Cech home and set to train", chelseafc.com (2006-10-24). Retrieved on 2006-10-25. 
  23. ↑ "Brain bug killed Cech's brother", The Sun (2006-10-18). Retrieved on 2008-04-08. 
  24. ↑ "Didier Drogba love the challenge at Chelsea", The Daily Telegraph (2008-02-06). Retrieved on 2008-03-02. 
  25. ↑ "Petr Cech named player of the month", czech.cz (2007-04-16). Retrieved on 2007-09-06. 
  26. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew. "Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United". BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  27. ↑ "Report: Chelsea vs Birmingham - English Premier League". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  28. ↑ "Match Report: Blackburn 0 Chelsea 1", chelseafc.com (2007-12-23). Retrieved on 2008-04-04. 
  29. ↑ "Report: Tottenham vs Chelsea - English Carling Cup". ESPNsoccernet (February 24, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  30. ↑ [1]
  31. ↑ "Cech suffers ankle injury". Sky Sports. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  32. ↑ "Chelsea ready to risk keeper Cech". BBC News (14 April). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  33. ↑ "Cech out for two weeks after fifty stitch operation". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  34. ↑ Rob Hughes (2008-04-08). "Goalies find their fate in coaches' hands", iht.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-08. 
  35. ↑ This is an average rather than a total.
  36. ↑ "Cech awarded as the best european goal keeper 2007", abcprague.com (2007-08-31). Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 

External links

Chelsea F.C. – current squad

1 Čech • 2 Ivanović • 3 A. Cole • 5 Essien • 6 Carvalho • 8 Lampard • 9 Di Santo • 10 J. Cole • 11 Drogba • 12 Mikel • 13 Ballack • 15 Malouda • 16 Sinclair • 17 Bosingwa • 18 Bridge • 19 Ferreira • 20 Deco • 21 Kalou • 23 Cudicini • 26 Terry • 27 Mineiro • 33 Alex • 35 Belletti • 39 Anelka • 40 Hilário • 43 Stoch • 44 Woods • Manager: Scolari