http://www1.skysport...s/11668/8069608

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to have an operation at the end of the season to sort out a minor elbow problem, the Czech Republic team doctor has revealed.

The Blues have asked Czech Republic not to play Cech in Tuesday's game against Finland and another friendly with Slovakia in November as they try to manage his workload.

Czech Republic are prepared to rest the 30-year-old for non-competitive fixtures ahead of planned surgery next summer.

Team doctor Petr Krejci insists Cech should be able to play on for Chelsea with no problems for the remainder of the campaign.

"An investigation showed a bit of ossification in his elbow, so they (Chelsea) are planning a surgery in England after the season," Krejci told CTK.

"They have very kindly asked us if we could rest him in friendly fixtures. We have come to an agreement with coach Michal Bilek and decided to be on good terms with Chelsea.

"We are going to grant their wish and rest him."

Intensity

Krejci was happy to provide further details on the problem with Cech's elbow, which surfaced during Euro 2012 earlier this summer.

He explained: "Petr cannot stretch the arm properly. If he has to stretch the elbow, it hurts him sometimes.

"There is nothing to be worried about, though. There is basically nothing that could make this problem worse.

"The only thing that could force an immediate surgery is if the intensity of pain would get much higher or if the elbow was blocked in some way."

Thoughts?

Edited September 10, 201213 yr by Amputechture

sh*tting it.

Doesn't sound too bad and not as if it might get a lot worse and stop him from playing.

If for some reason he do get worse, there's always time in january to get a backup keeper or else recall Courtois.

Jamal Blackman to come through and leave Cech and Courtois on the bench (or in Spain)

I don't think many decent keepers would be happy to sign as a backup. We're ok with what we have unless something terrible happens to Cech, then we'll just have to make do until Courtois finishes his loan.

Edited September 10, 201213 yr by bluedave

Would rather Blackman was 2nd choice. No experience and would be a massive test, but both Turnbull and Hilarious have had their chances and have both failed, especially Turnbull.

I genuinely believe JT would do a better job in goal than Turnbull.

Courtois would be 2nd choice, not Blackman.

What has been agreed on recalling Courtois? By now, he seems hugely better than Hilario (whom I quite like by the way) and Turnbull (whom I dread, although he is possibly very sweet to his gran).

How good could Blackman become? First choice in a prem club? Not specifically Chelsea.

If I have to watch Turdbull between the pipes one more time I think I might actually cry

Turnbull is terrible

Get back cudicini :)

I am now going to worry whenever the opposition has a corner kick.

Courtois would be 2nd choice, not Blackman.

Not this this season he won't be.

Just saying I'd rather Blackman than the 2 other clowns we have at the moment.

Hopefully Courtois will never be 2nd choice. Why waste him on the bench for a season when he could be getting more experience at another top team like he is now.

The club just need to decide when they want to make him the main man.

Craig Gordon is currently looking for a club and although he might be injury prone, we can always give him a short-term contract.

Turnbull is terrible

This

I hope Blackman will get to play sometime. Maybe in a cup game.

Admitedly I didn't like what I saw from him at youth level (or was it for the reserves - can't remember). He made quite a few bad errors and didn't look at all solid.

But he's really raised his level and seldom make any real blunders.

No if its next season...Courtois is more than adequate and is Cech's successor, the only problem is the back up to him

Pfft. Hilario is fine. I get sick of idiots making statements about him based on an occassional error while ignoring the string of good performances he has put in over the years against tough opposition.

Can't we call Courtois back at anytime? I think we have that right. It would be a nasty towards Atletico, Turnbull and Hilario but they all know this can happen.

Pfft. Hilario is fine. I get sick of idiots making statements about him based on an occassional error while ignoring the string of good performances he has put in over the years against tough opposition.

He's not in the CL squad though.

Aha. The UEFA conspiracy again.

Pfft. Hilario is fine. I get sick of idiots making statements about him based on an occassional error while ignoring the string of good performances he has put in over the years against tough opposition.

Its ridiculous isnt it, every season we get the same thing and every time Hilario is called upon he does as good a job as a reserve keeper could. I dont know how people expect us to sign a better 2nd choice keeper who will accept the fact he more than likely wont play a game all season in the prem.

Its ridiculous isnt it, every season we get the same thing and every time Hilario is called upon he does as good a job as a reserve keeper could. I dont know how people expect us to sign a better 2nd choice keeper who will accept the fact he more than likely wont play a game all season in the prem.

It's an inconvenient truth, but Cech isn't exactly error-free; he's made at least as many errors as Hilario over the years, albeit with more playing time. Cech's errors are often excused as temporary lapses whereas Hilario's are pointed out as intrinsic flaws. I wouldn't dare argue that Hilario's best on the same level as Cech even on an off day, but I can't think of a better second choice keeper anywhere in the world*.

* Bar Lloris being second choice to the 93 year old Friedel.

He's not in the CL squad though.

I missed that, and I think this is a mistake by the club. I would prefer him over Turnbull any day of the week.