Petr Cech: 'Records Are Good, but I'm More Concerned About the Team'

"Congratulations, champion!" was how Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon signed off his letter praising Petr Cech's record-breaking feats in goal for Chelsea.

Cech had just broken the Blues' clean-sheets record, recording his 209th against Hull City, and Italian legend Buffon was among the many well-known faces heaping praise upon his peer.

For the Chelsea stopper, though, it was business as usual and, as he explains in the latest issue of Chelsea magazine, breaking records was the last thing on his mind when the Blues faced Hull in January.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

"I didn’t go to Hull thinking about the record," he explains. "I wanted to play the best I could, and for the team to win.

"Then somebody asked me about it after the game and I told them I would rather have won the game 4-3 than it be 0-0 and keep that clean sheet.”

It sums Cech up that his concerns are more for the team than his own personal gain, although he also admits to feeling anxious over his status as No. 1 at Stamford Bridge if ever his standards drop.

"If I have back-to-back awful games, I don’t think the manager will pick me," he adds.

We're not quite sure that would happen, especially given Cech's excellent form between the sticks this term. He is looking back to his best under Jose Mourinho and will be vital as the Blues chase Premier League glory.

Chelsea FC

• Read more of this interview in Chelsea magazine. The latest edition will be available to download on your tablet on Monday Feb. 10 at www.chelseafc.com/mobile

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here @garryhayes