Blues Target Could Have Been A Hammer!

Last updated : 29 January 2004 By Rich Godden
Despite no official word on the deal, it is thought that Cech will become a Chelsea player before Monday's transfer deadline. But things could have been different for the highly rate Czech keeper had he ended up at Upton Park...

Here's Ludek Miklosko to explain all: "I was interested in bringing Petr over to England when he was 19 but I eventually decided that it would be a mistake.

"He was not yet ready for English football and needed to continue his development back in the Czech Republic. He would have been second string behind David James but that would have been no good for him.

"He needed to play regular first team football to make progress. Eventually he signed for Rennes and last year was one of the best goalkeepers in French football.

"The recognition has followed and now, at 21, he is a regular for the national team.

"I asked him last season if he wanted to come to us and he said 'yes.' If we had not been relegated maybe now he would be our first choice goalkeeper, but we went down and everything changed.

"In my opinion he is a very good young goalkeeper. He is very tall, athletic and a good shot stopper. What has impressed me also, talking to him, is his determination and singlemindedness. Petr really knows what he wants to do in his career.

"He sets himself targets and one of those was to play in the Premiership. He has been preparing for this moment for some time now. I think he will settle down well in England. He was married during the summer and speaks good English.

"If it all goes through by Monday, Chelsea will have a good goalkeeper - although my opinion is they already have one of the best in the Premiership in Carlo Cudicini."

It's a shame he didn't go to West Ham... we could've picked him up for half the price from our "feeder" club!