Jose
Mourinho has insisted he wants Petr Cech to stay at Stamford Bridge and says
Chelsea would not be champions if it was not for the long-serving
goalkeeper.
Cech has been displaced as first choice keeper after 10 seasons in west
London by Thibaut Courtois.
The Czech international is understandably frustrated and has been linked
with a summer move to Arsenal, but Mourinho is adamant he wants the
32-year-old to stay and certainly does not want him going to another Premier
League side.
"One thing is Jose Mourinho and another is Mr Abramovich and another thing
is the board because the board includes a little bit of me, a little bit of
other people," he said.
"But if it was me, if it was my decision, my decision is Petr to stay.
That's it. It would be my decision for Petr to stay."
Such a stance may upset Cech but Mourinho said he would be willing to go
against the will of the player for the betterment of the club.
"I think that the club is more important than the players and, as was proved
this season, the club needs two very good goalkeepers," he said.
"Without Petr this season I don't think the club would be champions because
he played six important matches in the Premier League and without these
points we probably wouldn't be champions.
"So for me, decision number one: Petr will stay. After that, second point to
go but not in England. The option I don't want is for him to go to an
English club.
"But, I repeat, I am just the manager and he means so much for this club and
what he did in this club I think he deserves everything from this club.
"If the club decision is different to mine, I will accept with all the
respect."
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