
Chelsea
goalkeeper Petr Cech has reacted positively to being dropped for the first
time in his Stamford Bridge career, says manager Jose Mourinho.
Cech, 32, lost the No 1 spot to Thibaut Courtois for Monday's season-opening
3-1 win at Burnley - prompting rumours he will be seeking a move away from
the Blues before the transfer window closes.
But Mourinho said of the Czech international: "He's a top professional. He's
working as always, behaving as always, being a group man as always, being a
Chelsea man as always.
"Is he totally happy? I don't believe. It's not him. It's everyone that
didn't start the game. This period is hard for them and for me because it's
one with one match per week. The first three matches, they clearly feel that
some are playing more and some are not.
"In September, we have the Capital One Cup, Premier League and Champions
League. There will be three matches a week and everybody playing with
rotation, resting and decisions. September is easier for them and me in the
sense that everyone feels much better.
"Petr's behaviour is fantastic and that's important."
Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 from Rennes in a £7m deal and has since won
three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League.
When quizzed on any plans to further strengthen his squad, Mourinho added:
"We are very calm. My club did a fantastic job, not just because they got
what we need but they did it in a record time.
"For us, the market could've closed on July 31 instead of the end of August.
We are very calm. For us, the countdown clock you have in Sky Sports News is
no tick tock!
"This is the sixth Premier League I've started. Every match is difficult.
The result in the first match was very clear. If you play at the top of your
game like we did for some good periods of the game, you have a chance to
win. If you don't, you are in trouble."