Petr Cech was better in Chelsea training than Kepa and Willy before Mendy arrival, claims Schwarzer
PETR CECH was better than Kepa and Willy Caballero in Chelsea training before Edouard Mendy arrived.
That’s the shock verdict of ex-Blues‘ keeper Mark Schwarzer as boss Frank Lampard wrestled with his No1 problem position.
Cech, 38, was even named in Chelsea‘s 25-man Premier League squad last week, despite officially retiring as a player last year to become a coach.
Former Fulham star Schwarzer believes Cech outshone his ‘rivals’ in practice – until Mendy’s £22million arrival from Rennes this month.
Australia legend Schwarzer told Optus Sport. “From my understanding, he was better than the Chelsea keepers.
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“But this was before Mendy arrived at the club.
“He was performing and training better than the Chelsea keepers.”
And Schwarzer revealed that Cech was so surprised with his own athleticism he even rued the fact he had quit playing.
The ex-Middlesbrough ace, 48, said: “He just was saying he felt so good.
“He said had he known that after having time off he would have felt so good, he would have only had six months off and wouldn’t have retired.
“He actually believes he’s fit enough and strong enough and good enough still to play in the Premier League.
“I know he’s kicking the ball further than he did towards the end of his career.
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“The injuries he had, the problems he had with his ankle, his calf, they were hindering his kicking game.
“So apparently he has no problems with that at all any more.
“He’s kicking the ball as far as he [ever] did.”