Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has spoken of his pride in his club for allowing long-serving goalkeeper Petr Cech to join rivals Arsenal.
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Cech spent ten seasons as Chelsea’s number one in between the sticks but found himself growing frustrated at Stamford Bridge last term after he dropped behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order.
Mourinho admits he wanted to keep the 33-year-old at the club but said he was in full support of Roman Abramovich’s decision to allow the shot-stopper to leave to join one of Chelsea’s biggest rivals.
“I support the owner’s decision to honour the player in this way,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Times.
“I always said I wanted [Cech] to stay but I understand Petr needed to move on to play first-team football every week. It is very rare in football to make a decision like this and for that reason I am proud of my club for making it. There are not many clubs in the world big enough to be able to make that decision.”
Cech made just ten appearances in his final season at Chelsea and agreed a £10m move to London rivals Arsenal.
The veteran gloveman’s transfer created quite a stir amongst Blues supporters, with many torn over his decision to join the Gunners considering his successful stint with the club.
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