My two pennies for what it's worth.

 

Those of you criticising the club over this one, what do you want the club to do?

 

I read a lot of criticism on here but not much by way of solution.

 

There are only two options open to the club, one is to sell, the other is to keep him.

 

Let's look at option two. It's not really an option, is it? We keep Cech against his will, he would be unhappy and feel wronged, and unhappy players are bad for morale. Besides, it would send a bad message to the rest of the players, or any other players thinking of joining us. Keeping Cech against his will to sit on the bench just wouldn't sit right, and also, don't forget, it would make him ever more determined to join Arsenal next summer, by which time he will be a free agent, meaning he would get bigger wages and we would get nothing.

 

Sorry, no, keeping him is absolutely not an option, and we all know that.

 

So option one, to sell him, for that is the only option available to us. We can't send him somewhere he doesn't want to go. Real, Barca, Utd, City, these clubs aren't interested (and that in itself should tell us something). There is no stampede amongst the top clubs to sign him. Bayern already have a great keeper. If any of us were in his shoes we'd do the same thing, I guarantee it. He wants to be at a top club, in a top league, competing for honours, and Arsenal are the only option open to him that tick those boxes. Furthermore, they're in London and he doesn't have to uproot his family. We bought Courtois and put him on the bench, that was our idea, not his. We can hardly blame him for making the best choice for him. 

 

Think about that. Cech did nothing wrong, he was a legend, he was happy at Chelsea, his form was good. We stuck him on the bench. We all know he's too good to be a number two. Way too good.

 

There you have it, we have to sell, we have no choice, we cannot sell him to a club he doesn't want to join, and he only wants to join Arsenal. Our hands are tied. There is no argument. They are absolutely tied.

 

Keep him against his will? Are you mad?

 

Yes it's painful, yes it's unfortunate, yes it's galling. It's not what the club would have wanted, but the club created this situation, not Cech, and if any of you are angry with the club, it should be for signing Courtois, not for allowing Cech to go to Arsenal. They have no choice.

 

They won't be happy but they have no choice. It's worked out in Arsenal's favour. Events have conspired to favour them. It happens, we have to get over it. We still have a better keeper than them. That's not my opinion that's Jose's, and he's the best manager in the world.

 

So, the only bargaining chip we have, as far as I can see, is the fee. If Arsenal don't want to do a swap deal they don't have to. They want a player, the player wants them, furthermore the player can't get a game for us. By demanding a swap deal we are putting the blockers on the deal, and we'd be retaining a very unhappy player, with all the problems that ensue.

 

I would ask a fair fee, not a prohibitive one. Cech is 33. Buffon is 37 and he's just played excellently in a CL final. Van der Sar joined Utd at 34 and had six excellent seasons with them. Arsenal are potentially getting a world class keeper for the next five or six years, a player that will significantly strengthen them. On the other hand he only has one year left on his deal and he has no resale value so we have to be realistic. Keepers do not command the same fees as strikers. If we want £15m and Arsenal are only offering £10m, we should play hardball, for we would not be being unreasonable. We do not know the nature of the negotiations but we should not bend over backwards nor should we put up obstacles.

 

The transfer has to be done, it will be done, sadly. Arsenal need to pay the going rate. They're getting a top keeper.

 

Sorry to see you go Petr. You will always be a legend at Chelsea in my book. Anyone that thinks otherwise needs to take the afternoon off, watch both legs of the semi against Barca, and then watch the final for good measure.

 

He deserved it. We deserved it. And he deserves this move.

For some reason I thought the lad had moved on.

Will be interesting to see who comes in, I'd hope they are home grown which a few of the reported targets qualify for.

I have to think we must be planning at least one BIG deal, I mean we have so much money available plus losing Cech obviously frees up £100 odd K a week on the wages too.

Who is our back up keeper as it stands (when Cech leaves)?

 

Mikel

Mikel

 

Blimey, I expected this thread to be a bit spicy but didn't expect a full on civil war.

Blue Daze banned as well, it's all going on.

Sad to see the state of some Chelsea both on these boards and on Twitter. Its worse on Twitter to be fair.

May take....

Like with Lampard, I am very sad to see a Chelsea legend move to a rival- there is no getting around that.... It's painful and when we play Arsenal it will be uncomfortable, just like it was with Lamps when we played City.

But all perspective should not go out the window. We, as Chelsea fans, have been utterly blessed on the whole when it comes to transfers in recent times, I can barely think of one player in the last 10 years who we sold who we (as a club) who we actually wanted to stay. Robben perhaps. My point is that clubs like Arsenal have had their best players swiped from them time and time again over the last decade, captains, top scorers, legends, they have lost them all in their prime and have had to deal with it every time. We, to be honest, haven't.

So yes, this may hurt a bit for a couple of years but lets look at the bigger picture- we (the club) are in the luxurious position of being able to do this as a result of having Courtois, a keeper who is 10 years younger than Cech and rated as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world already. We won the league last year and there is every reason to believe we will be well equipped to do so again next year.

Basically, lets not start behaving like tits.

Notwithstanding the above, the main gripe obviously though, is "why Arsenal"

I can't say I would sanction his move to Arsenal if I was the boss, as much as I have painted a positive picture above. Don't need to state the obvious as to why.

If a 'gentlemans agreement' was made last year then, to be honest, more fool us for backing ourselves into a corner when we really didn't need to.

That does not mean however that I wouldn't have a price if Arsenal came knocking, it would just be well, well above what Arsenal would deem a fair price. £20M give or take a few million. At least then you could make a case for us getting a good deal financially.

My main issue with the deal is that we appear to be acting is if we hold none of the cards which couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, we actually hold all the cards as of this moment in time.

If we have indeed got ourselves into this situation of feeling obliged to sell to Arsenal due to this agreement with cech himself then I just don't see why we can't play hardball. If we want a player in return then insist on it. If we want £18M, insist on it. I have a feeling Arsenal would end up forking out. Would they see the deal collapse over a few million? Where would they go to find another suitor as good as Cech with their 11 million? There is also no pressure on us to get this done... in fact, it would be perfect if this one went through on deadline day... so I would play it cool, name the price and tell them to take it or leave it. We could always fold on deadline day and take less if we really wanted to- why make it easy for them?

You won't see me slating Cech though. Like with Lampard, I am disappointed he has decided to join a rival. I wish he had made a different choice. But 11 years of service combined with the nature/context of the situation dictates that, whilst we as fans may not like it, we just have to accept it.

How do you know he's been banned? Did I miss anything in this thread or what got him banned?

I thought he was very insightful at times, just likes pushing through his opinion. And of course the countless arguments were getting tiresome.

I wish Cech all the best, just hope he doesn't win any trophys over there.

By the way, I read somewhere his agent dismissed some paper that said the deal was done? What good would that be if the deal was on?

Might be wishful thinking but until it's confirmed that's what I'll do.

My two pennies for what it's worth.

Those of you criticising the club over this one, what do you want the club to do?

I read a lot of criticism on here but not much by way of solution.

There are only two options open to the club, one is to sell, the other is to keep him.

Let's look at option two. It's not really an option, is it? We keep Cech against his will, he would be unhappy and feel wronged, and unhappy players are bad for morale. Besides, it would send a bad message to the rest of the players, or any other players thinking of joining us. Keeping Cech against his will to sit on the bench just wouldn't sit right, and also, don't forget, it would make him ever more determined to join Arsenal next summer, by which time he will be a free agent, meaning he would get bigger wages and we would get nothing.

Sorry, no, keeping him is absolutely not an option, and we all know that.

So option one, to sell him, for that is the only option available to us. We can't send him somewhere he doesn't want to go. Real, Barca, Utd, City, these clubs aren't interested (and that in itself should tell us something). There is no stampede amongst the top clubs to sign him. Bayern already have a great keeper. If any of us were in his shoes we'd do the same thing, I guarantee it. He wants to be at a top club, in a top league, competing for honours, and Arsenal are the only option open to him that tick those boxes. Furthermore, they're in London and he doesn't have to uproot his family. We bought Courtois and put him on the bench, that was our idea, not his. We can hardly blame him for making the best choice for him.

Think about that. Cech did nothing wrong, he was a legend, he was happy at Chelsea, his form was good. We stuck him on the bench. We all know he's too good to be a number two. Way too good.

There you have it, we have to sell, we have no choice, we cannot sell him to a club he doesn't want to join, and he only wants to join Arsenal. Our hands are tied. There is no argument. They are absolutely tied.

Keep him against his will? Are you mad?

Yes it's painful, yes it's unfortunate, yes it's galling. It's not what the club would have wanted, but the club created this situation, not Cech, and if any of you are angry with the club, it should be for signing Courtois, not for allowing Cech to go to Arsenal. They have no choice.

They won't be happy but they have no choice. It's worked out in Arsenal's favour. Events have conspired to favour them. It happens, we have to get over it. We still have a better keeper than them. That's not my opinion that's Jose's, and he's the best manager in the world.

So, the only bargaining chip we have, as far as I can see, is the fee. If Arsenal don't want to do a swap deal they don't have to. They want a player, the player wants them, furthermore the player can't get a game for us. By demanding a swap deal we are putting the blockers on the deal, and we'd be retaining a very unhappy player, with all the problems that ensue.

I would ask a fair fee, not a prohibitive one. Cech is 33. Buffon is 37 and he's just played excellently in a CL final. Van der Sar joined Utd at 34 and had six excellent seasons with them. Arsenal are potentially getting a world class keeper for the next five or six years, a player that will significantly strengthen them. On the other hand he only has one year left on his deal and he has no resale value so we have to be realistic. Keepers do not command the same fees as strikers. If we want £15m and Arsenal are only offering £10m, we should play hardball, for we would not be being unreasonable. We do not know the nature of the negotiations but we should not bend over backwards nor should we put up obstacles.

The transfer has to be done, it will be done, sadly. Arsenal need to pay the going rate. They're getting a top keeper.

Sorry to see you go Petr. You will always be a legend at Chelsea in my book. Anyone that thinks otherwise needs to take the afternoon off, watch both legs of the semi against Barca, and then watch the final for good measure.

He deserved it. We deserved it. And he deserves this move.

How do you see this regarding Jose Davy?

We know he didn't want to sell unless a player was given in return so do you think he will be in a bit of a mood with the club over this?

Presumably if Jose was desperate to keep Cech, he'd have played him more often last season, to keep him sweet..He clearly sees the future lies with Courtios.

 

My main concern is if Courtois gets injured (plus its Arsenal for fecks sake, and it galls me that they appear to be getting one over on us)

 

Having said that McLovin and DaveyB sum it up for me..We could have held out for more but a few extra million won't hurt us or benefit them that much, its more about saving face.

 

 

Edit: just seen Englishmans post below, and I also agree with that..I'm so conflicted.

Edited June 23, 201511 yr by SHELLY

My two pennies for what it's worth.

 

Those of you criticising the club over this one, what do you want the club to do?

 

Drive a harder bargain. If Cech wants to leave and Arsenal want him, yet that doesn't mean we just have to roll over. He's under contract, Arsenal are desperate for a quality keeper and we aren't desperate for the money. We could have got a few more million out of them or held out for a swap deal, as Arsenal did with Gallas/Cole. You don't want to pay £20m or give up Walcott or Chamberlain in exchange? Fine, no deal. Sorry Pete they won't meet our terms. As it is, Arsenal and Cech have got the best of this deal and us the worst.

Exactly.

There are plenty of solid keepers out there that will be great back ups.

Begovic

Sommer

Ruffier

... For example

Or would it be ideal to fill that role for an English player.

Ruddy

Foster

Forster

It's mainly about whether they want to play second fiddle.

Drive a harder bargain. If Cech wants to leave and Arsenal want him, yet that doesn't mean we just have to roll over. He's under contract, Arsenal are desperate for a quality keeper and we aren't desperate for the money. We could have got a few more million out of them or held out for a swap deal, as Arsenal did with Gallas/Cole. You don't want to pay £20m or give up Walcott or Chamberlain in exchange? Fine, no deal. Sorry Pete they won't meet our terms. As it is, Arsenal and Cech have got the best of this deal and us the worst.

 

Fine, no deal.

 

You can have Pete next year on a free.

 

We'll keep him.

 

He'll be unhappy but we'll keep him.

Rock and a hard place for club and player here.

 

Cech's the best keeper I've ever had the pleasure of seeing in person, and he's still among the world's best, it'll be sad to see him leave.

 

Whoever you prefer, you can't argue there's very little between Cech and Courtois on current ability. Jose and the club have done the right thing focusing on the player 10 years junior - a player far too good to be a loanee for any parent club, but it's such a shame to lose another world class player as a result.

 

He's clearly settled in London. Arsenal is the logical move for him, and if that's his destination I hope it works out for him. And kudos the club for not standing in the way, absolutely the right thing to do.

Fine, no deal.

 

You can have Pete next year on a free.

 

We'll keep him.

 

He'll be unhappy but we'll keep him.

 

By which point he's another year older, and they endure another year of Chesney in goal.

 

Or if they want him badly enough they come to terms. It's not as if they're doing us a favour by taking him. We're entitled to get the best deal possible for us, Pete could hardly expect otherwise.

Thing is Davey, I don't think it would come to that.

 

A deal would eventually be made however Arsenal would/should be forced to pay a bit more than they wanted to.

 

We would probably compromise on the £20M but end up at, lets say, £17M

 

I can't believe they would risk leaving it another (when someone else may come in for him), get him aged 35, and miss his services for a whole season over a few million.

We're entitled to get the best deal possible for us, Pete could hardly expect otherwise.

 

Sure, but the best deal possible for us, at this stage, involves letting go of a player that wants to go and getting a fee for him.

 

Ultimately you're arguing about a few million, a few million that won't make much difference in the scheme of things.

 

He's going to Arsenal and our hands are tied.

Thing is Davey, I don't think it would come to that.

 

A deal would eventually be made however Arsenal would/should be forced to pay a bit more than they wanted to.

 

We would probably compromise on the £20M but end up at, lets say, £17M

 

I can't believe they would risk leaving it another (when someone else may come in for him), get him aged 35, and miss his services for a whole season over a few million.

 

Wenger would love to get him on a free, and he'll be 34, the same age Utd got Van der Sar.

 

That aside however, I agree essentially, we shouldn't bend over backwards, nor should we put up obstacles.

There are plenty of solid keepers out there that will be great back ups.

Begovic

Sommer

Ruffier

... For example

Or would it be ideal to fill that role for an English player.

Ruddy

Foster

Forster

It's mainly about whether they want to play second fiddle.

 

Begovic is also considered home grown since he has been playing in england for last 15 years.

 

If he comes as a 2nd choice (and I very much doubt that), it will be great. 

On another note, I'd like to know how long we can reasonably expect Cech to stay at the top?

 

I've mentioned Van der Sar and Buffon but are they the exceptions?

 

Cech has just turned 33, we're told this is relatively young in keeper terms, but what's the aggregate age, I wonder, for a top keeper to stay at the top?

 

If anyone has any thoughts, or any stats, I'd be interested.

On another note, I'd like to know how long we can reasonably expect Cech to stay at the top?

 

I've mentioned Van der Sar and Buffon but are they the exceptions?

 

Cech has just turned 33, we're told this is relatively young in keeper terms, but what's the aggregate age, I wonder, for a top keeper to stay at the top?

 

If anyone has any thoughts, or any stats, I'd be interested.

 

I remember reading a couple of years back (I think when we signed Courtois) that Cech isn't expected to be able to play until he is 38/40 due to the strain his head injury put on his body. Apparently he has a  long standing elbow injury as well.  

He could go on till he's 85 and still be substantially better than Chesney.

 

I reckon another 3 seasons at the top.

I remember reading a couple of years back (I think when we signed Courtois) that Cech isn't expected to be able to play until he is 38/40 due to the strain his head injury put on his body. Apparently he has a  long standing elbow injury as well.  

 

Well that's cheered me up.

 

If this is true, you can bet Arsenal and ourselves know this.

Not that I wanted him to go to a Premier League team - or that I wanted him to go at all - but as many have said here what is the point in keeping him against his will; I'd rather not have 'X' player than have them here and unhappy; doesn't do anyone any good.

 

He has been a fantastic player for us, loyal and a proper decent bloke on and off the field - we have been very lucky to have had him for as long as we have and he has been an integral part of us winning what we have won.  It's a shame he has to go but good luck to him (not to Arsenal!) and I just hope we can get a decent backup keeper.  And that Courtois shows the same loyalty and passion for the club that Cech has over the past 10 or so years.

Well who would have thought Cech would be playing for arsenal a few years back. It hurts but that's football. I only wish him and his family well, but hope he would have a disastrous season in Arsenal.

Well who would have thought Cech would be playing for arsenal a few years back. It hurts but that's football. I only wish him and his family well, but hope he would have a disastrous season in Arsenal.

 

Aww no.  I wouldn't want that.  I hope Arsenal have a disastrous season but not Petr.

Just noticed a couple of accounts awaiting validation. 

 

PeterCechsMagicHat and CECHFOR11MILLION

 

Looks like we need to brace ourselves for some immature goonies signing up to gloat about buying a player from us. 

 

To them I say:

 

 

Choose your words carefully.