Chelsea Need to Play Hardball on Petr Cech's Reported Exit

Has Petr Cech been consulting Carlo Cudicini?

Judging by his musings this week, perhaps the Chelsea goalkeeper has.

If he hasn’t, he should.

Cudicini found himself in the exact same position as Cech does now when the latter arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004.

The Italian was Chelsea’s established No. 1, but that meant little to Jose Mourinho. The newly appointed Blues boss didn’t think twice about giving Cech his chance to become first-choice.

When the team sheets were published for Mourinho’s first competitive game in charge—a home Premier League fixture against Manchester United—the questions were asked about the risk Mourinho was taking by dropping Cudicini.

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Come the end of 90 minutes, any doubts had dissipated. Cech had shown himself to be the real deal, much like Thibaut Courtois has done in 2014/15.

Cudicini’s career declined from there, and through loyalty to the club he only damaged his own prospects, hanging around as the Chelsea reserve for too long.

Cech’s been given more opportunities this season than Cudicini had under Mourinho, but he’s right in his assumptions.

Cech says he “cannot sit on the bench” come next year. Nor should he.

Loyalty or not, there comes a point where every player must do what’s right for him. And more often than not, those players willing to play it selfishly often come out on top.

Take Cristiano Ronaldo and his move to Real Madrid, Luis Suarez and his summer transfer to Barcelona or Frank Lampard when he departed West Ham United for Chelsea.

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They’re all examples of self-interest breeding personal gain.

Equally, a football club must look after its own interests.

Chelsea have done that this season by retaining Cech’s services. By that measure, they would be justified in continuing to keep him lurking in the shadows, if only to ensure Courtois doesn’t adopt that nasty trait of complacency.

Cech is much more than a talented player, though. He’s a valuable financial commodity, and in this age of financial fair play, clubs must squeeze everything they can from players.

The Times' Gary Jacob has reported Chelsea have given Cech permission to leave the club in the summer, which will put plenty of clubs on alert.

That same report goes so far as to suggest the club will not prevent the goalkeeper joining another English club, either.

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Should that prove the case, Chelsea have only one hand to play: hardball.

Mourinho set a precedent by allowing Juan Mata to join Manchester United last year.

The message was clear: If the price is right, Chelsea will sell their fringe players to the highest bidders.

Indeed, thus far that logic cannot be criticised. Chelsea hiked up the price on Mata, and that £37.1 million has been used to the detriment of the rest of the Premier League.

Chelsea are much stronger for it, and while United brought in an exceptional talent themselves, the Blues' money has allowed Mourinho to do a whole lot more.

Nemanja Matic and Kurt Zouma were the direct consequence of the Mata funds, both signed at the time the Spaniard moved to Old Trafford.

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That Chelsea’s transfer policy continues to operate so positively—think David Luiz’s summer transfer to Paris Saint-Germain—is a major reason behind a new-found stability in west London.

It’s taken the club a decade to achieve it, but decisions in the boardroom are having the right impact on the pitch.

Which is why it shouldn’t be any different with Cech.

As we assess the Premier League landscape beyond the current campaign, it’s not overly difficult to suggest Cech’s potential suitors. Arsenal and Liverpool have question marks over their current goalkeepers, and both equally have the funds for a pursuit of Cech.

Manchester United may have David De Gea, but for how long?

With three of their closest rivals potentially in the race for one player, Chelsea are in a position of strength.

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And they know this game better than most—they’ve been here enough themselves in their own attempts to strengthen.

With the name "Chelsea" comes inflation, and when clubs are scrapping for talent, it has an equal effect. Throw in some other big-name clubs from the continent, and we’re looking at a fee fetching considerably more than the £10 million mentioned by Jacob.

By allowing Cech to leave, Chelsea have given up the ghost. Whether or not they want two world-class goalkeepers, it’s clear a level of conscience remains.

It doesn’t mean Cech should be allowed to leave on the cheap.

Like Mata, players who are surplus still retain value in what they can help the club achieve; Chelsea will do well to remember that.

Money talks, so those interested in Cech best raise their voices.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.