Chelsea boss Mourinho hints at Cech exit

Posted Friday, August 01, 2014 by Goal.com

The Czech Republic international has been linked with a number of clubs following the return of Thibaut Courtois from Atletico Madrid and could now be set to leave

Jose Mourinho has hinted that long-time first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech could leave Chelsea this summer.

With Thibaut Courtois having returned from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid, speculation has been rife as to whether the Czech Republic international will retain his No.1 spot at Stamford Bridge.

Goal understands Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for Cech, with PSG credited with an interest, and Mourinho has now hinted that he could be on the move by referring to Mark Schwarzer as the club's “second goalkeeper".

"Petr is ready to fight for his position but Thibaut is the best young goalkeeper in the world, no doubts about that,” the Portuguese coach is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.

"They will fight and for me it’s a good problem to have to make a decision.

"We are a club that wants to be strong and wants to have a real possibility of competing for trophies and we want competition for places.

"But I know that Mark Schwarzer is a very good keeper, very stable and a good man, completely ready to be our second goalkeeper like he was last season and to give positive performances if we need him to play.”

Courtois has returned to the club following his World Cup exploits with Belgium and insists he is keen to make a name for himself in England, as he did in Spain.

"I signed three years ago so now I am happy to actually be here, to be a part of this club,” he told Chelsea's website.

"My new team-mates have been really great; they’ve welcomed me and you really feel that you are a part of this team. Obviously it helped me that I knew some of the players before I arrived.

"When I signed here I had played for just one year in the Belgian league. I wasn’t anybody. In the last three years, I have been able to improve myself a lot and make my name in the football world.

"Now it is up to me to keep working hard here at Chelsea, keep improving myself and helping the team to achieve the things we all want.”