Petr Cech Discusses Future at Chelsea, Potential Departure

Petr Cech has admitted his Chelsea frustration after a season playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois in the Blues goal, indicating that he may be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit in the summer.

After consistent seasons as Chelsea's No. 1 since his arrival in west London in 2004, Cech has spent much of the 2014-15 term on the bench, making just four league starts.

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He has been usurped as Jose Mourinho's first-choice 'keeper by the 22-year-old Courtois, with the Czech Republic international now admitting his frustration with sitting on the bench, per Czech newspaper Idnes (h/t PA via The Guardian):

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I don’t know what the club’s idea will be. It looks like it works well with me and Thibaut as a duo. But that can work for one season only. I don’t want another one like this. There always will be speculation. I leave it for the summer. It will be important to sit down with the club and with the manager to consider all the pros and cons. We will see what will work out the best.

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It seems highly unlikely that the 32-year-old Cech will be able to wrestle his first-team spot back from Courtois.

The Belgian has been exceptional in the main this season, and Mourinho clearly views him as his long-term first-choice 'keeper.

However, Cech undoubtedly still has what it takes to be a No. 1 at a top club, his stats demonstrating his continued brilliance between the posts, per WhoScored.com:

Cech still likely has many years left of what has thus far been a stellar career, and European champions Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing him up, per Lewis Rudd in Metro.

B/R UK's James McNicholas also suggests that Arsenal would do well to go in for the three-time Premier League winner, the Gunners having struggled for consistency in the goalkeeping department in recent seasons:

However, Cech will not come cheap for any prospective suitors, as his contract at Stamford Bridge doesn't expire until the end of next season.

The Blues will be loath to let him go as they will really struggle to find a backup 'keeper anywhere near as good as Cech.

The likelihood of his being allowed to join another Premier League club seems low, but he could well be on his way out in the summer, most likely to Spain or France.