Petr Cech 'to play for Chelsea's development side on Monday'

| 13 December 2020

Chelsea's technical director and the Blues' former goalkeeper will play his first competitive fixture since the 2019 Europa League final.

Petr Cech will play for Chelsea's development squad in Monday's Premier League 2 clash with Tottenham at Kingsmeadow, the PA news agency understands.

Chelsea's technical director and the Blues' former goalkeeper will play his first competitive fixture since the 2019 Europa League final, after which he retired.

The former Czech Republic shot-stopper brought down the curtain on a first-class career in Baku when his Arsenal side lost 4-1 to Chelsea – and he then joined Frank Lampard's Stamford Bridge revolution.

Chelsea v Arsenal – UEFA Europa League – Final – Olympic Stadium — Petr Cech, pictured, has not played competitively since the 2019 Europa League final (Adam Davy/PA)

Cech bridges the board and the football staff in his off-field role at Chelsea, but has kept up his goalkeeping training with the first-team squad.

And this term he has been registered in Chelsea's Premier League squad, though only as a precaution in case of a coronavirus-related emergency.

Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero and Karlo Ziger all sit ahead of Cech in Chelsea's pecking order.

The 38-year-old will feature for the development squad on Monday, though, after Lucas Bergstrom played for Chelsea's Under-18s on Saturday.

The Blues' coaches do not want the youngster to play twice in 48 hours.

Ziger is part of the first team's Covid-19 bubble, with Chelsea keen for him to stay inside that senior set-up.

Year has gone but the pain remains ... .@Arsenal #europaleaguefinal ... last game of the career 29/5/2019 pic.twitter.com/DexoSfXays

— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) May 29, 2020

Sami Tlemcani could have been another option to step in on Monday, but Chelsea have him pencilled in for youth action elsewhere on Wednesday.

With Cech registered as a Premier League contingency, Chelsea have also been keen to capitalise on an opening for him to get match minutes under his belt.

And another fringe benefit will be the chance for developing players to line up alongside a senior professional of such vast experience.