Which Player Would Arsenal Swap with Chelsea for Petr Cech?
In an ideal world, Petr Cech sees out the season remaining on his Chelsea contract, breaks the Premier League's clean-sheet record at Stamford Bridge and signs a pre-contract with Arsenal next January—continuing his London adventures into 2016/17.
That, however, does not seem a likely outcome.
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The 33-year-old goalkeeper has been reduced to a bit-part player for Jose Mourinho's championship side. Compounded with Thibaut Courtois (23) being 10 years his younger, Cech is expected to explore his options of escape this summer.
As reported by Sky Sports, the long-serving Blue "will hold talks with Chelsea" to decide his future with the club who have enjoyed his services for the past 11 seasons.
From 2004/05 through 2013/14, Cech averaged 48 games per season; in 2014/15 the Czech Republic international featured 15 times.
This disparity has created an environment where even Premier League rivals to Chelsea's recent crown feel justified inquiring about Mourinho's trusted shot stopper—Arsenal Football Club leading the pack.
Taken from Sky's report, Cech has not dismissed any potential marriage, hinting his preferred suitors would be stationed in London:
"I keep all options open, regardless of the country. I will decide based on what is best for me and my family. It does not matter whether it is England, Germany, France or Spain.
If I move, it brings difficulties. It must change everything, look for housing, a school for children and so on. Therefore, the sooner I know what to do the better. I can plan everything and even rest before the new season.
"
While Chelsea supporters hope their helmeted legend remains in west London—or leaves England altogether—Cech's wishes not to displace his family and desire for first-team football come before any misgivings, hence the majority of Blues' fans would begrudgingly accept their best-ever goalkeeper's move to the Emirates Stadium.
Mourinho, though, has not proven as accommodating.
Speaking with reporters—as documented by the Daily Mail's Sam Cunningham—the Portuguese boss said: "I have the same respect for Petr that everybody at [Chelsea] has, but my answer [to him leaving] would be 'no way.' If the answer is different I will accept that."
When asked again about Cech during an outing for BT Sport, via the Mail's Cunningham, Mourinho told the media:
"If every club is interested in Petr, I can find a player that I like in that team too.
"
Still having 12 months left on his deal, Chelsea would certainly expect to be compensated for the 33-year-old, as goalkeeper's lifespans last longer than any other position. TransferMarkt suggests Cech is worth £10.6 million, but might a player swap make more sense?
Scanning Arsenal's roster, Arsene Wenger has multiple sacrificial options—but who might tempt Mourinho the most into loosing his grip? Subtracting unrealistic pieces like Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey, the pool of available players is still decent.
Three names Mourinho could inquire about are England internationals Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere.
Only John Terry and Gary Cahill are the Blues' top-tier English representatives, and with rules of homegrown players likely to become more stringent, trading a world-class goalkeeper for one of England's top talents could be worth considering for both sides.
Arsenal have a seeming reservoir of offensive talent. Wenger has been excellent in stockpiling prime attacking midfielders, but has been in dire need of a general marshalling his back four. Cech has been a central figure in Chelsea's success over the past decade, using his quick reflexes and domineering presence.
The French manager may conclude giving up something in midfield—where he has reinforcements—to gain in defence is worth the swap, but whom of the three Englishmen would work both ways?
Wilshere is an interesting candidate. He has the fiery attitude Mourinho covets and has caused his fair share of annoyance for Wenger, but coming through the Arsenal ranks as a youth, the 23-year-old's heart no doubt pumps Arsenal red—so him accepting a bench role behind Cesc Fabregas and/or Oscar at Chelsea is improbable at best.
Walcott could be a fine candidate. His contract runs out 30 June 2016, and though having a great last month during the 2014/15 season, the 26-year-old struggled after returning from a cruciate ligament injury. What might stop this swap is stubbornness, a positive stubbornness. Wenger has been trying for seasons to craft Walcott into a top-level striker, and beginning to bear fruit (see 2015 FA Cup final)—why ship him to Chelsea now?
Leaving Mourinho and Wenger with the last England international of note on Arsenal's roster (save Danny Welbeck), Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Were the two London clubs negotiating Cech's future—and the possibility of a swap was presented—Chelsea's target should be the former Southampton starlet. Oxlade-Chamberlain (21) is the perfect balance of age, talent and positioning for a keeper possessing the quality of Cech.
Mourinho would receive an industrious, versatile young player who fits into Chelsea's attacking hierarchy. Not on the level of Willian (possibly rivalling Juan Cuadrado) there is room for improvement; plus he does not destroy the Blues' wage bill.
Wenger, conversely, would take arguably the Premier League's best-ever goalkeeper with multiple seasons left—making the Gunners more difficult to score against without losing offensive potency.
Cech for Oxlade-Chamberlain (plus somewhere near £10 million in Arsenal's direction) appears fantastic business for both clubs, and could be great—depending on injuries/luck—for both players as well.
Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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