5 Goalkeepers Who Could Be the Next Petr Cech

These days, Petr Cech often takes the field looking more like Batman than he does a goalkeeper.

At the age of 29, Cech should be approaching some of the best seasons of his professional career, but a bad error at Wigan in December has caused some people to suggest he's a player in decline.

I don't believe that to be the case, as all goalkeepers go through rough spells in their careers that can affect their confidence and ultimately their performance.

Cech may look vulnerable at the moment, but Chelsea are a team in transition and he can't rely on his defence to help him through it right now.

Whether Andres Villas Boas thinks Cech is a weak link remains to be seen. Just in case, however, let's take a look at some possible replacement goalkeepers who could one day become good enough to don the Chelsea shirt.

Wayne Hennessey

Wolves player Wayne Hennessey is a baby in goalkeeping terms.

At the age of 24, Hennessey possesses all the right attributes to make it to the top of his profession and has proved to be a valuable asset to a struggling Wolves team.

At 6'5", he has an awesome frame and is the current Wales national team goalkeeper.

Anders Lindegaard

Anders Lindegaard is currently the second choice Manchester United goalkeeper, but he has been knocking on Alex Ferguson's door with some impressive displays.

The 27-year-old has had his game stripped down and rebuilt at the Manchester club, and he is now considered by some to more than second string.

Lindegaard has been given stuttering appearances for Manchester United of late, which shows Ferguson may be realising the quality he has on his hands.

Lindegaard has five international caps for Denmark.

Michel Vorm

With the nickname "The Penalty Killer", Michel Vorm raised his profile with some impressive displays for Swansea City in the Premier League this season.

Swansea paid £1.5 million for the Dutch international from FC Utrecht in August 2011, which could be the buy of the season.

Vorm is 6'0", 28 years old and fights for his place in the national team with Newcastle United's Tim Krul and Roma's Maarten Stekelenburg.

Tim Krul

International compatriot to Michel Vorm, Tim Krul has battled his way into Newcastle's No. 1 position.

Only when Steve Harper suffered an injury did Krul finally get the chance to show what he was worth, and he is now the undisputed first choice for the club. 

Krul is only 23 years old, so he has huge potential for the future.

He stands at 6'4".

Peter Gulacsi

If Krul and Hennessey were goalkeeping babies, then I don't know what I should call 21-year-old Peter Gulacsi of Liverpool FC.

Considered one of Liverpool's hottest young properties, Gulacsi is currently at Hull City on a year-long loan move and has made 15 appearances so far.

With Pepe Reina a first choice rock at Anfield—likely for years to come—Gulacsi will have his work cut out to get the Liverpool first choice jersey.

Gulacsi is 6'3".

Thoughts.....

So there you have it—five great goalkeepers who I think will show us all their quality over the coming years.

Goalkeepers seem to get better with age as the likes of Brad Friedel and Edwin Van Der Sar show that they could cut the mustard even as they approached their 40s.

Chelsea could do worse than to look at any of these players should Petr Cech be deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Hopefully for Cech fans, that won't happen.

Thanks for reading.

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