Petr Cech - Chelsea's man between the posts
Czech football fans have had their eye on Petr Cech for some time now: the phenomenal young goalkeeper who has become known for preternatural calm in games of the highest order, whether in his recent Champions League run with Chelsea, or with the Czech national team. 2005 has been Cech's year: although Chelsea ultimately failed to reach the final of the Champions League, he helped the team win the English Premiership for the first time in 50 years. And, he did it in unforgettable style, earning a massive number of clean sheets - unprecedented for an incoming keeper. It is not surprising that among English fans Cech has become a household name.
"He's cool, he's very cool, and concentrated. Great reflexes, his position is very good, in the right moment in the right place. His ability to be at the right second at the right place is the reason he's No.1 in Chelsea and No.1 in the national team."
According to Palicka, Cech is a remarkably motivated player and with good reason: until recently he had never won a title in any league. Not with Sparta Prague. Not with Rennes in France. But, Chelsea, would be different.
Still, even in the early days, it was clear good things awaited Petr Cech: he set an amazing mark with Sparta, for example, by setting a new record for most minutes played without giving up a goal.
"He has a record in Czech football history: 903 minutes without conceding a goal. After that it was a match against Bohemians in Prague, a ball that was shot from something like 25 metres, a very poor shot. The ball went through Petr's legs and into the net! It was a terrible situation."
Most unfortunately the goal that broke Cech's record was also the one that broke Sparta's back.
"It finished the record and it was one of the matches that determined that Sparta would not hang onto the title."
By now though Cech had earned international attention with Sparta and was soon on his way to the small French club Rennes, where, though somewhat out of the spotlight, he continued to build his confidence and style. Together with his high school sweetheart Martina - now his wife - he adjusted to life abroad and continued to work hard. It was only a matter of time before he would grab attention on the world stage - the next big test would be Euro 2004.
At Euro 2004 - despite being the team's "benjaminek" - the Czech word for youngest player, Petr Cech was able to fully showcase his talents and there were some moments of undeniable brilliance. With a coolness that he has made his own he froze out players like Van Nistelrooy in a memorable thriller against the Dutch: once again he had proven that if his team mates like Pavel Nedved and Milan Baros could strike up front, he'd take care of the back.
And, the win earned him one of his first major scalps - that of legendary goalie Edwin Van der Sar. As it happens the Dutch keeper is one of three that Petr Cech holds in the highest regard. Jan Palicka again:
"Petr has told me he had three idols, three goalkeepers and three reasons 'why': quick legs, reflexes, and concentration. They were Gianluigi Buffon from Italy, Oliver Kahn from Germany, and Edwin van der Sar."
In the end, the Czechs finished a slot short of the final, sent home by Greece only after conceding a deadly header in the final seconds of extra time.
Despite the defeat there was much to look forward to: prior to the tournament the goalie had been signed by Chelsea and it was to Chelsea that he went at the start of the 2004/2005 season. There was much speculation whether or not he could wrestle away the number 1 spot from the popular Carlo Cudicini.
"The key moment was when Chelsea was in the USA for training camp in the summer. At that point he was the 'new man' in Chelsea and No. 2 for the fans since Carlo Cudicini had had a great previous season, taking Chelsea to the Champions league semi-finals. They were 2nd in the Premier league. Then, after that came a new coach and a new goalkeeper. He had key training and key preparation matches in which he proved that he deserved it."
Here's what Petr Cech himself had to say about his first season with his new team:
"Yeah, I couldn't expect better this season. Because I had to win my place in the squad, as first choice goalkeeper. It's always difficult to be settled quickly in a new team. There were big expectations at Chelsea before this season, so the pressure is big. But I've worked very hard to be successful, and obviously I'm very happy."
During 2004 and 2005 Cech took his team to its first league title proving new coach Jose Mourinho right - and although he was beaten in the Champions League semi-final letting in a controversial Liverpool goal, there is no doubt in the fans minds he has been a most valuable acquisition. Chelsea clinched the Premiership over a dozen points ahead of their nearest rivals ahead of their last game. In a non-scientific poll on Chelsea's website 52 percent of fans rated Cech as the best new signing, far outranking anybody else.
"It's unbelievable for experts and journalists that a man who is 23 years old can be so high up. When a striker is perfect at that age it's not as strange as a goalie. I think he can go fourteen years without injury in the Czech national side and the English Premier league is a great, great school for him. If you look at all the best clubs in Europe there is no other keeper as young as Petr."
Considering he turns just 23 this month, it's safe to say we can expect more great things from Petr Cech in the future. His reputation seems likely to be secure for a long time to come.
"I was in London six times this season. One of his nicknames is 'Mr Zero', another is 'Petr the Great' and 'Mr Perfect'. He's a great goal keeper and a great person!"
