Arsenal could beat Manchester United in signing Chelsea star Petr Cech, according to the Blues goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon.
The 33-year-old has seen his first team opportunities restricted since the resurgence of Thibaut Courtois and his return to Stamford Bridge last summer. The Belgium international has been the first choice keeper for the Premier League champions for 2014-15 season.
Cech has one year left on his contract and has confirmed he will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window. United’s goalkeeper David De Gea also has a year on his current deal at Old Trafford and is piped to join Real Madrid.
Louis van Gaal wanted to sign Chelsea star as a replacement for Madrid bound De Gea. However, Lollichon suggests Cech could stay in London by making a switch to Arsenal as he believes the Gunners are in a position to challenge for silverwares next season.
Chelsea coach also suggested that Cech still has a few years of top flight football left in him and he will continue in England, despite strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
“I also think that his family is very happy in England. A player is happy when his family is happy. And Petr adds a lot of value to the state of his family. I think he would prefer to stay in England. If there are discussions, I wouldn’t know. I think that his first aim is to stay in England,” Lollichon said.
“He wants to be in England more. However at the age of 33, you also have to look at the value of the contracts that are offered. The advantage of a club like Arsenal is that it is a club at a very high level. With a style of play that Petr likes, it is also in London, don’t forget that. And finally it is a club with big ambitions for the forthcoming seasons.”
“Does Tottenham have the same ambitions that a club like Arsenal has? Petr has three main aims. To enjoy himself, to win titles and to beat the all time Premier League clean sheet record, he is three away from that. To win titles, I think Arsenal are better placed than Tottenham. The Champions League, I think it is more Arsenal than Tottenham no?”
Should De Gea join Madrid and Cech make a switch to the Emirates, then United could turn their attention in signing Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
