Petr Čech

Infobox Football biography
playername = Petr Cech


fullname = Petr Čech
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|5|20
cityofbirth = Plzeň
countryofbirth = Czech Republic
(former Czechoslovakia)
height = height|ft=6|in=5
nickname = Čechíno, Big Pete
position = Goalkeeper
currentclub = Chelsea
clubnumber = 1
youthyears = 1989–1999
youthclubs = Plzeň
years = 1999–2001
2001–2002
2002–2004
2004–
clubs = Blšany Sparta Prague Stade Rennes Chelsea
caps(goals) = 027 (0)
027 (0)
070 (0)
122 (0)
nationalyears = 2002–
nationalteam = Czech Republic
nationalcaps(goals) = 062 (0)
pcupdate = 16 September 2008
ntupdate = 12 June 2008

Petr Čech (IPAudio|Cs-Petr_Cech.ogg| [ˈpɛtr̩ ˈʧɛx] ), (born 20 May 1982 in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic) is a Czech international football goalkeeper who is currently contracted to English Premier League football club Chelsea, for whom he has played since July 2004.Petr Čech has previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals. [cite news | date=2004-07-05 | url=http://www.thefa.com/Euro2004/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2004/07/Euro2004_AllStarSquad.htm | title=Four All-Star Lions | work=thefa.com | accessdate=2007-01-07 | author=Chris Hatherall] Čech also received the individual award of Best Goalkeeper in the 2004/2005, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 season of the UEFA Champions League. In addition, he was named in the FIFPro and UEFA Champions League teams of the season in 2006.

He currently holds three records: a Czech professional league record of not conceding a goal in 855 competitive minutes, an English Premiership record of not conceding a goal in 1,025 minutes, and the most clean sheets accomplished in a single Premier League season (25), set during Chelsea’s 2004—05 title-winning campaign. He also has a club record at his former team Sparta Praha, having gone 928 minutes unbeaten in all competitions in 2001—2002, when his unbeaten run in Czech league competition was combined with his performances in the UEFA Champions League.

Club career

Czech Republic and France (1999—2004)

Čech started out as a midfielder/striker for the youth team of his hometown club FC Viktoria Plzeň in Plzen, occasionally taking the goalkeeping position in games. When he broke his leg at age 10, he switched to playing as the goalkeeper instead. [cite web | title = Player Profile - Petr Čech | work = CFCnet | url = http://www.cfcnet.co.uk/2006/02/10/player-profile-petr-cech/ | accessdate = 2008-01-23 ]

Čech made his senior-level debut as a 17-year-old for FK Chmel Blšany in 1999. [cite web |url=http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/goalkeepers/p/petrcech.htm |title=Profile and Career History of Petr Čech |publisher=About.com |accessdate=2008-05-01 ]

Čech really came of age in the 2001—02 campaign following a €700,000 transfer to AC Sparta Praha. The young custodian won a first-team place four matches into the Czech season, and proceeded to set a national record by going 855 minutes without conceding a goal. Just for good measure, he began Sparta’s UEFA Champions League campaign by shutting out holders FC Bayern München and was not beaten until Matchday 5.

Predictably, Čech's performances and Champions League exposure alerted European scouts to the young goalkeeper’s talent. After just one season at the Letná, Čech joined Stade Rennais FC in July 2002 for a reported fee of €5 m. Not one of France’s glamour clubs, the Czech was virtually ever-present as Rennes preserved their Ligue 1 status and reached the Coupe de France semi-finals in 2003. He played all but five of Rennes' games as they finished ninth in the team’s 2003—04 Ligue 1 season.

Chelsea (2004—present)

It was Claudio Ranieri, then manager of Chelsea, who decided that the young Czech goalkeeper was his choice as understudy to Carlo Cudicini. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4332919.stm |title=Čech dubbed world's best keeper |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2008-04-30 ] After the original bid was rejected, [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3375791.stm |title=Chelsea Čech bid rejected |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2008-04-30 ] Rennes accepted a second in February. Čech agreed a summer move to Chelsea for £7 m (€10.3 m), signing a five-year contract, to commence in July 2004. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/3411707.stm |title=Chelsea sign Čech |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2008-04-30 ] This transfer meant that he had cost more than every other Chelsea goalkeeper in history put together. Čech’s transfer from Rennes was one of those about which the Stevens inquiry report in June 2007 expressed concerns because of the lack of co-operation from agents Pini Zahavi and Barry Silkman. [cite news | title = Drogba deal, Zihavi and five clubs in transfer spotlight | publisher = espnstar.com| date = 2007-06-15| url =http://espnstar.com/epl/epl_newsdetail_6191049.html
accessdate =2007-09-06]

When he arrived at Chelsea, there was uncertainty over whether he would be the first choice goalkeeper as the club already had a first choice, Carlo Cudicini. Complicating matters further was the fact that Ranieri, the manager who signed Čech, had been sacked. Incoming manager José Mourinho made the more experienced Cudicini his initial first choice goalkeeper. However, Cudicini was out with a damaged elbow during pre-season, giving Čech an opportunity to shine in the number 1 jersey. He impressed and gave his new team-mates confidence with his positioning and safe handling. Accordingly, Mourinho installed Čech as Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper once the season started. Čech kept a clean sheet in his first competitive match as a Chelsea player, in a high-profile 1—0 victory against Manchester United.

On 5 March 2005 Čech set a new Premiership record of 1025 minutes without letting in a goal. He finally conceded a goal from Leon McKenzie of Norwich City, after keeping a clean sheet in the league since 12 December 2004 when Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/4470059.stm |title=Chelsea's magic numbers |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2008-04-30 ] Čech was given a special award by the Premier League for the new record, and he was also awarded the "Golden Gloves" at the end of the 2004—05 season for keeping a record 25 clean sheets. Chelsea retained the Premiership title in 2005—06, with Čech playing in all but two games in the League. The team conceded only 15 goals in the entire League season, also a record.

He signed a new contract on 1 February 2006 which will keep him at the club until 2010.

Čech underwent minor shoulder surgery on 27 June 2006 to repair a long-standing injury stemming from the previous English Premiership season. [cite web | title = Keeper Čech has shoulder surgery | work = BBC Sport | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5119818.stm | accessdate = 2007-09-06 ] Čech returned to action on 27 August 2006 during Chelsea’s Premier League match versus Blackburn, keeping a clean sheet. [cite web | title = Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea | work = BBC Sport | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5266318.stm | accessdate = 2007-09-06 ]

Head injury

On 14 October 2006, Čech and Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt both challenged for the ball inside Chelsea's penalty area in the first minute of a league match at the Madejski Stadium. Hunt’s knee hit Čech's head, leaving the keeper dazed. Čech was immediately taken off and replaced by Carlo Cudicini, who himself was knocked unconscious later in the same game. Čech underwent surgery for a depressed skull fracture.cite news | date=2006-10-15 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6053244.stm | title=Keeper Čech has surgery on skull | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=2006-10-16] The injury nearly cost Čech his life [cite news | date=2006-10-28 | url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=i-ll-be-back&method=full&objectid=18005566&siteid=94762-name_page.html | title=I will BE BACK | work=The Daily Mirror | accessdate=2006-11-16] , and as a result of the collision, he suffered intense headaches and was warned by his doctor that returning too early could be fatal. [cite news | date=2006-10-16 | url=http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/October/16/doctors-cech-out-for-rest-of-season | title=Doctors: Čech out for rest of season | work=soccerway.com | accessdate=2006-11-16] Speaking shortly afterwards, Čech’s father claimed his son would be out of football for a year. [cite news | date=2006-10-17 | url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006480174,00.html | title=My boy will be out for one year | work=The Sun | accessdate=2006-10-17]

Chelsea manager José Mourinho blamed Hunt for Čech's injury, saying "The challenge was a disgrace. He is lucky to still be alive." [cite news | date=2006-10-14 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6052028.stm | title=Mourinho angry as keepers injured | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=2006-10-16] He also criticised the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust [cite news | date=2006-10-18 | url=http://www.itv-football.co.uk/Story/0,14272,6107_1606751,00.html | title=Royals were right over Cech | publisher=ITV Sport | accessdate=2006-10-21] and match referee Mike Riley. [cite news | date=2006-10-16 | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=410707&in_page_id=1779 | title=Referee Riley: I did not make Cech leave the pitch for treatment | work=The Daily Mail | accessdate=2006-10-21] Much media comment followed, some agreeing with, some condemning Mourinho's claims. [ See Stephen Hunt (Irish footballer)#The Petr Čech incident for links to the debate in the media and elsewhere.] A number of commentators, including current and former goalkeepers, saw the incident as highlighting the need for greater protection for keepers. [cite news | date=2006-10-17 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6057730.stm | title=Wenger fears for keepers' safety | publisher=bbc | accessdate=2006-10-18] [cite news | date=2006-10-19 | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/gabriele_marcotti/10/19/cech.keepers/index.html | title=English head games | publisher=Sports Illustrated | accessdate=2006-10-20]

Following hospital treatment, Čech returned home on 24 October 2006 and in the following week he came back to a period of light training. However, Chelsea announced that the goalkeeper would be out for three months, in line with medical advice on the time needed for complete recovery from the skull fracture. [cite news|date=2006-10-24|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=424212&m=10&y=2006&nav=news&sub=latest+news|title=Cech home and set to train|publisher=chelseafc.com|accessdate=2006-10-25] In an interview on "Chelsea TV", Čech said that he had no memory of the injury itself.

Return

Čech made his comeback against Liverpool on 20 January 2007, wearing a rugby style headguard, which he continued to wear in every game until the end of the season. The headguard was made by Canterbury of New Zealand, a company that specialises in protective rugby gear, and includes extra plastic polymer foam protection to cover the areas of his skull weakened by the collision. Čech’s use of the headguard caused initial friction with Chelsea’s apparel manufacturer Adidas, which were not pleased by a Chelsea player apparently advertising for another company, but the controversy quickly blew over.

In spite of the considerable time lapsed since the injury, Čech has continued to wear the headguard owing to a weaker than normal bone structure in his skull, a product of him being one of triplets. [cite news |date=2006-10-18 | url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article67586.ece | title=Brain bug killed Cech's brother | work=The Sun | accessdate=2008-04-08] He will almost certainly wear it for the remainder of his career. [cite news |date=2008-02-06 | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/07/sfnche107.xml | title=Didier Drogba love the challenge at Chelsea | work=The Daily Telegraph | accessdate=2008-03-02]

Although Chelsea lost Čech's comeback match 2—0, he then went approximately 810 minutes of Premiership play without conceding a goal. On 11 April 2007, Čech was awarded the FA Premier League Player of the Month award for the first time in his career in recognition of the eight successive league clean sheets he had kept. He also was the first goalkeeper to receive the award since Tim Flowers in 2000. [cite news | date=2007-04-16 | url=http://www.czech.cz/en/news/sport/petr-cech-named-player-of-the-month/ | title=Petr Cech named player of the month | work=czech.cz | accessdate=2007-09-06] This run was ended during a 4—1 Chelsea victory over West Ham United on 18 April 2007 when Carlos Tevez scored against him.

Following his injury and comeback, Čech was one of the players named by then-coach José Mourinho as an" 'untouchable' "and was presented with the Chelsea Award for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of his remarkable comeback from a serious injury. Fact|date=May 2008

Čech also kept a clean sheet for Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. He shared with United’s Edwin van der Sar the honour of being the first goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over 90 minutes in a competitive fixture, but became the first goalkeeper to end a competitive game unbeaten, at the new Wembley Stadium with 89,826 people in attendance. Chelsea beat United 1—0 to win the FA Cup. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/6649815.stm|title=news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/6649815.stm ]

2007-08 season

Čech’s 2007-08 season got off to a rough start with Chelsea conceding 2 goals against Birmingham City on the first match of the season. Despite the setback, Chelsea managed to win 3—2 and set an English record for unbeaten league matches at home. [cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221289&cc=5901&league=ENG.1|title=soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221289&cc=5901&league=ENG.1 ]

On November 7 2007, Čech suffered an ankle injury in the 0-0 Champions League Match at Schalke 04. This sidelined him for a few weeks before badly bruising his hip against Blackburn on December 23, 2007. [cite news | date=2007-12-23 | url=http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea180706/index.html#/page/ArchiveNews/list_2210603_43| title=Match Report: Blackburn 0 Chelsea 1 | work=chelseafc.com | accessdate=2008-04-04]

Chelsea suffered their first major blow when they lost the Carling Cup Final to Tottenham, with Čech parrying the ball onto Jonathan Woodgate’s head for the winner. [cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=235283&cc=5901|title=soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=235283&cc=5901 ] He played in several games until the eve of Chelsea’s home Champions League tie with Greek champions Olympiacos when he injured his ankle in training. [cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/06/sfnche206.xml|title=www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/06/sfnche206.xml ] [cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_3243941,00.html|title=www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_3243941,00.html ] In the weeks that followed, Čech missed key games of Chelsea’s campaign including the Arsenal London derby and the Champions League quarter-final first and second legs.

On April 7 2008 it was announced that Čech had undergone emergency surgery on his chin and lips following an accidental collision with Tal Ben Haim during training. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7334884.stm|title=news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7334884.stm ] [cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=523722&cc=5901|title=soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=523722&cc=5901 ] He had 50 stiches put on his mouth and chin, having missed 22 games this season due to injuries, Čech said he hoped to get back on the field within a few weeks. [cite news|title=Goalies find their fate in coaches' hands| author=Rob Hughes|publisher =iht.com| url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/08/sports/SOCCER.1.php| date =2008-04-08| accessdate =2008-04-08] He returned to action on April 14, in a home match against Wigan, which Chelsea drew 1-1.

International career

Čech was part of the Czech Euro 2004 team. Some stunning saves helped his team progress as far as the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Greece on the silver goal rule. He was named in the all-star team as best goalkeeper at the tournament.

The Czech Republic qualified for the 2006 World Cup, held in Germany, and were placed in Group E, alongside Ghana, Italy and the United States. The Czech Republic was placed third by the end of the group stages, and with one win against the United States, winning by 3—0, and two losses against Ghana and Italy, the score 2—0 in both games, the Czech Republic did not advance to the second round.

On 17 October 2007, Čech was captain of the Czech Republic team for their Euro 2008 Group D qualifier against Germany. He kept a clean sheet and the Czechs defeated Germany 3—0 away to book their place for the finals in Austria and Switzerland. In the last group game of the final tournament, Čech was beaten three times in the final 15 minutes as Turkey overcame a two-goal deficit to knock the Czechs out. Čech had a cross slip through his hands, allowing Nihat Kahveci to score the second (equalising) goal.

After the blunder against Turkey, he took full responsibility of his team's exit from the UEFA Euro 2008 and actually considered retiring but then he was talked out of it and he stated that he wants to keep representing the Czech Republic "for many years to come" and also stated that he wants to repay his mistake and confidence that all the Czech Republic's players have in him.

Career statistics

"League games only."

Honours

Chelsea:
* FA Premier League: 2005, 2006
* FA Cup: 2007
* Football League Cup: 2005, 2007
* Charity Shield: 2005
* IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2005
* Best European Goalkeeper: 2005, 2007, 2008
* UEFA Club Football Awards: Best Goalkeeper: 2005, 2007 [cite news | date=2007-08-31 | url=http://www.abcprague.com/2007/08/31/footballer-petr-cech-awarded-as-the-best-european-goal-keeper | title=Cech awarded as the best european goal keeper 2007 | work=abcprague.com | accessdate=2007-11-03]

Personal Achievements
* FA Premier League Player of the Month: March 2007
* Czech Player of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2007
* Barclays Golden Glove: 2005
* UEFA Club Football Awards, Best goalkeeper: 2005, 2007, 2008

References

External links

*
* [http://www.petr-cech.cz/ Official web site] (in Czech)
* [http://www.chelseafc.com/Player.asp?plid=11334&nav=players&title=Petr+Cech Chelsea FC Profile]
* [http://www.czech.cz/en/czech-republic/history/famous-czechs-of-the-past-century/petr-cech/ Petr Čech] — profile
* [http://www.petr-cech.com Official Website in English]

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