The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Jose Mourinho concedes that he cannot stop Petr Cech from joining Arsenal this summer, should the Chelsea goalkeeper leave Stamford Bridge.
Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of the Czech international’s talents. The Gunners came close to signing the goalkeeper from Sparta Prague prior to his transfer to Rennes, with the work permit issues proving a stumbling block at the time for the north London outfit.
But with Wenger holding reservations over goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in particular, the Frenchman is expected to make a move to try and bring Cech to the Emirates this summer, despite his public praise of current No.1 David Ospina.
Cech’s agent, Viktor Kolar, has revealed that his client has been granted permission by the Blues to ‘negotiate with interested parties’, and Mourinho concedes that, should the 32-year-old wish to move to Arsenal, he will be unable to prevent him from doing so.
“If it’s in my hands he would never go, would never go to big clubs with fantastic teams,” Mourinho told Talksport. “Big candidates to win the Premier League. I would never let him go.
“But it’s not in my hands,” Mourinho conceded. “My perfect scenario is that he stays with us, I think he belongs to this club, this club belongs to his history and to his life, too.
“He is a fantastic keeper, fantastic dressing room and squad man. I tried to prove the respect I have for him. I played him in the cups, gave him matches in the Premier League.
“I can imagine that a 32 or 33 year old keeper feels young and feels the passion to play every game.”
