I'd still rather have Cech as number 1 if I;m honest.

It's not 'pure chance' strictly speaking though because it's weighted in favour of the bigger teams. In fact the competition is designed that way through seedings so we're more likely to face a team like PSG on a regular basis than say Maribor. That's somewhat besides the point though.

 

I think this notion of who is and isn't a rival has changed in the modern era. Not only do we compete with teams like PSG in competitions, but we compete with them for players (Pastore, Hazard, Pogba etc.) and also for fans/revenue/mindshare or whatever measure you want to use.

 

I do actually understand why people want him to go to PSG and I would prefer him to go there but I also recognise that he's a human being who has served us magnificently in every way conceivable, right up to him acting with a tremendous amount of grace when we replaced him.

 

That's why I'd be happy with us treating him with class and allowing him to do what is best for him. Obviously I know some won't agree because that type of thing isn't perhaps more important to them than trophies and the such, but it's my honest opinion.

 

I'd also refrain from calling the man who gave me some of the best memories I've ever had both at the Bridge and Munich an idiot, but again that's just me.

So you are saying we compete with PSG , in Paris, France for Fans but not Arsenal?.....ok mate.

if he leaves and goes to Utd or Arsenal, it won't exactly be a shock as most players (especially foreign ones) aren't loyal and don't particularly give a sh*t about their clubs anyway.  

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by enigma

So you are saying we compete with PSG , in Paris, France for Fans but not Arsenal?.....ok mate.

 

No I'm not saying that. What I said was

 

I think this notion of who is and isn't a rival has changed in the modern era. Not only do we compete with teams like PSG in competitions, but we compete with them for players (Pastore, Hazard, Pogba etc.) and also for fans/revenue/mindshare or whatever measure you want to use.

 

PSG are a rival. Arsenal are also a rival. OK mate?

 

 

if he leaves and goes to Utd or Arsenal, it won't exactly be a shock as most players (especially foreign ones) aren't loyal and don't particularly give a sh*t about their clubs anyway.  

 

Are you trying to one-up the 'Roman is an idiot' comment? 

 

Do you honestly think Petr is like that? Seriously?

 

 

 

 

Seriously?

Desperately hope he doesn't go to Arsenal but wouldn't begrudge him if he did. Would be fine with PSG.

all the spiel with players about "being settled" etc, you're a f**king footballer, you make the sacrifices, you start a family, get into relationships etc knowing that the life of a footballer is volatile and you're unlikely to stay at one club, in one country for the remainder of your career. If they want to be comfortable then they shouldn't of became a footballer, it's as simple as that. ashley cole left and went to roma, essien said he wouldn't return to england out of respect for chelsea, and these are guys who have spent just as long as most at the club, so it's disappointing when we have "legends" of the club potentially willing to go to a rival in the same league. 

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by enigma

edit: nvm, the goalposts moved.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by Stim

But PSG aren't direct rivals why don't you get that Blue Daze, Arsenal are a team we compete with in four competitions one of which is a league based on accumulating up points against other teams. Potentially getting PSG in the one competition we can isn't going to have a detrimental effect on our season like it could of Cech helps Arsenal get more points than us. It's Arsenal aswell a top tiered team in the league rather than a Sunderland or someone.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

all the spiel with players about "being settled" etc, you're a f**king footballer, you make the sacrifices, you start a family, get into relationships etc knowing that the life of a footballer is volatile and you're unlikely to stay at one club, in one country for the remainder of your career. If they want to be comfortable then they shouldn't of became a footballer, it's as simple as that. ashley cole left and went to roma, essien said he wouldn't return to england out of respect for chelsea, and these are guys who have spent just as long as most at the club, so it's disappointing when we have "legends" of the club potentially willing to go to a rival in the same league. 

 

I don't think Cech is unaware of what the life of a footballer is but I'm speaking purely about how the club could treat him. If he and his family express a desire to remain in England then I would have no problem with him going to another club, although I would prefer he didn't.

 

If people disagree then fine. They don't have to agree with me but in my experience there are probably more supporters who agree with me that he should be treated with utmost respect and allowed to go where he wishes.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

No I'm not saying that. What I said was

I think this notion of who is and isn't a rival has changed in the modern era. Not only do we compete with teams like PSG in competitions, but we compete with them for players (Pastore, Hazard, Pogba etc.) and also for fans/revenue/mindshare or whatever measure you want to use.

PSG are a rival. Arsenal are also a rival. OK mate?

Arsenal will do all of that too. They've bought Ozil and Sanchez recently. ..clearly they are prepared to compete for the top players these days. They are located in the same city and country as us, we are competing with them to get the kids and other new fans on board with us.

As for the CL, if you dont get it done domestically then the CL is irrelevant.

Arsenal are a bigger rival than PSG...and it's not even close.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by Blue Exile

True, they're in a different country. Just a few questions though.

 

How many times have we played PSG over the last two seasons? How many times have we played Arsenal or United?

 

How many times have we lost to PSG over the last two seasons? How many times have to lost to United or Arsenal?

 

Will PSG be in the Champions League next season? Could we draw them again? Does that not make them a direct rival?

 

And how many times did we play PSG in the ten years before last season? PSG are only in one competition with us, not a long-time domestic rival, and chances are we won't even face them at all. Real Madrid are in the Champions League every year, a top seed, we both typically reach the latter stages, and yet we have never faced them in the Champions League in all the years we've both been in it. 

 

Even when he's not playing against us, Cech would still be helping Arsenal or the Mancs accumulate points in the league. Fergie reckoned Schmeichel was worth an extra 15 points a season to them and Cech is in that category of keeper.

Arsenal will do all of that too. They've bought Ozil and Sanchez recently. ..clearly they are prepared to compete for the top players these days. They are located in the same city and country as us, we are competing with them to get the kids and other new fans on board with us.

As for the CL, if you dont get it done domestically then the CL is irrelevant.

Arsenal are a bigger rival than PSG...and it's not even close.

 

I agree.

 

Ultimately my point is that Petr has earned the right to go where he wishes. If people disagree then that's fine.

Just to clarify, although I thought it would be obvious considering the guy in question is a billionaire and I still have a mortgage (but since BD has mentioned it multiple times), my statement about Roman being an idiot was referring to this decision, poorly worded by me.

Just to clarify, although I thought it would be obvious considering the guy in question is a billionaire and I still have a mortgage (but since BD has mentioned it multiple times), my statement about Roman being an idiot was referring to this decision, poorly worded by me.

We all know what you meant, dont worry - well nearly all of us.....

Just to clarify, although I thought it would be obvious considering the guy in question is a billionaire and I still have a mortgage (but since BD has mentioned it multiple times), my statement about Roman being an idiot was referring to this decision, poorly worded by me.

 

I got what you meant.

 

I just thought it was a ridiculous thing to say. Of course it isn't the best move for business in some senses, but do you honestly think Cech hasn't earned the right to go where he wishes? 

One of their main problem positions, and Cech going there will sort that out. If they go out and buy a DM (W. carvalho, Schneiderlin) and a quality striker, they will be serious challengers. Not easy to find a class keeper like Cech. Man Utd had to out up with two seasons of Degae flapping at crosses, costing them points before he got to his current level.

Let them go out and buy a few more Scejznys and Fabianskis.

I'd be less disappointed if Cech joined the Mancs.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by GhostOfDembaPast

Key point is forget sentiment it goes out the window for stuff like this. You don't strengthen a direct rival.

Key point is forget sentiment it goes out the window for stuff like this. 

 

 

Football is all about sentiment. It's about turning up week-in and week-out to see players give their all for this club, and Cech has given far more than most. It's a ridiculous pastime that only has meaning because of the personal relationships that exist. I love the man and that's why I'd allow him the chance to do what he feels is best for him, because I respect him, because I admire him, because I'm grateful to him.

 

But to borrow a sentiment that you've expressed to me a number of times, I'm not surprised to see you not take that view.

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

i mean with lampard, even though a lot of us were disappointed with his decision, at least it was only for 1 season. However, cech could potentially be playing on until his mid - late 30's. This is a conscious decision by cech, so the blame would lie at his feet, as well as the board. If PSG were to come in for him, i see absolutely no reason why he wouldn't go there; it's a short journey by eurostar or private jet and easy enough to come back to visit London if his family stay in London, heck, Beckham did it when playing for PSG while his family lived in London.

 

I would be annoyed if PSG, Arsenal, Utd, and other European teams were in for him and he made the conscious decision to choose a premier league team over PSG or any other team. I could understand if you were a regular joe with a regular job and a job opportunity became available in another country, so you had to uproot your family, but these guys are being paid extremely handsomely for their work, and can give their children private tutoring, or even visit their families on days off etc. People act like it's a do or bust for these players, when in reality it's a small sacrifice in a short career. 

I don't think Cech is unaware of what the life of a footballer is but I'm speaking purely about how the club could treat him. If he and his family express a desire to remain in England then I would have no problem with him going to another club, although I would prefer he didn't.

 

If people disagree then fine. They don't have to agree with me but in my experience there are probably more supporters who agree with me that he should be treated with utmost respect and allowed to go where he wishes.

 

He's allowed to go where he wants, but he has to make the thoughtful decision whether he has enough respect for the club to not go and play for another premier league team, especially a bitter rival. I think right now it's easy to say you wouldn't mind if he goes elsewhere, but if he starts keeping arsenal and/or man utd (especially arsenal!) in games and playing brilliantly for either, soon enough you'll become frustrated that he went to either one of them. If it had come down to 1 or 2 points this season gone between city and ourselves, and city went on to have won the league with lampard's goals/assists proving the difference, i think many people here would have been pissed off with frank, whether a legend or not; this is the same thing that could end up happening if cech goes to a bitter rival.  

Edited May 20, 201511 yr by enigma

He's allowed to go where he wants, but he has to make the thoughtful decision whether he has enough respect for the club to not go and play for another premier league team, especially a bitter rival. 

 

Wherever he goes, Chelsea supporters will thank him for his years of service, regard him as a legend and wish him the best (to a certain extent). They'd obviously prefer he not go to a rival but would respect his wishes whatever he chooses.

i'd prefer man utd over arsenal because i don't think he would be strengthening them, whereas arsenal he would be. however, i wouldn't want him to go to either. 

Luckily he is not in a position where by it affects us see Lampard, that being said If he has to go then I would hope it would be abroad get one last big pay day from PSG or something.

 

 

PSG are a rival. Arsenal are also a rival. OK mate?

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenal are a rival, PSG are a team we might encounter in a cup competition. Really no comparison in the two.

 

Strengthening a direct rival makes no sense at all, we all respect Petr for what he has done for the club but he is still under contract with us for a further 12 mths and if he does decide to want out it should be to a club that we(the manager) are happy with dealing with. The decision could also risk opening up old wounds that existed between Jose and Roman something I'm sure none of us want(that is the current playing staff and fans). 

IF he goes, he goes with my full blessing (I'm sure that'll make him feel better) and well wishes.  Those well wishes would be slightly diminished if he were to leave to a PL rival.  Someone we might get drawn against in the CL, that's just a risk.