The ESPN FC panel discuss the reports of Chelsea’s Petr Cech moving to Arsenal.
Petr Cech moved to play down reports that a deal had already been struck with Arsenal over a proposed £11 million transfer from Chelsea, as talks continued over the future of the veteran goalkeeper.
The Gunners are said to be close to a deal for the Czech stopper, who would prefer to keep his family in London as he seeks a move away from the Premier League champions in search of regular football.
On Monday evening, it was reported a deal had been agreed between Chelsea and Arsenal for Cech, but there’s been no official confirmation made by either club.
Cech himself later retweeted a message from his management company The Sports PR Company on his official Twitter account indicating nothing was yet set in stone.
. @MailSport @LeeClayton_ as we told you, No transfer deal has been done yet for @PetrCech – as soon as any news @PetrCech will confirm.
– Sports PR Company (@SportsPRCompany) June 22, 2015
Cech, who has played an instrumental role in Chelsea’s success since joining from Rennes in 2004, found himself as understudy to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge last season. However, Blues captain John Terry is in no doubt of just what an important player the 33-year-old can be, claiming he would be save “12 to 15 points a season” for whichever club he joins.
“I am sure if he does leave the club, which nobody wants to see, but we understand he wants to play football, he is going to be sorely missed. He will improve whatever side he goes to,” Terry said.
“There is obviously talk of Arsenal signing Petr and if they do get Pete, that will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 to 15 points a season.”
Chelsea are expected to improve their own squad again next season as well.
A season-long loan deal with Monaco for Colombia forward Radamel Falcao is expected to be completed after Manchester United opted against making the striker’s temporary move permanent at the end of the season.
Terry believes Chelsea cannot afford to stand still if they are to stay ahead of the chasing pack in 2015-16.
“To be top of the league the whole way through the season was an exceptional thing to do, but you can’t kind of dwell on that. We have to start concentrating on next season and try to improve on that again,” Terry said.
“When you win the league, you know teams go and spend money to buy the best.
“Manchester City were a little way off this year and will strengthen.
“I feel Arsenal and Manchester United are going to be very strong as well.
“We all know once you win it, everyone wants to beat you the following year, (so) it will be even harder for us to win the league again.”
Chelsea are set for a pre-season tour of the United States, where striker Bertrand Traore is expected to be part of the squad after he was granted a work permit.
The 19-year-old Burkina Faso forward, registered as a Chelsea player since January 2014, was sent on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, where he scored 13 goals last season.
Chelsea have since re-applied for a work permit, which was successful under the Football Association’s new points-based system introduced on May 1.
Blues boss Mourinho is now expected to integrate Traore into the first-team group, which could well come later this month with matches against the New York Red Bulls, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
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