MX23RW : Tuesday, July 2 18:29:59| >> :120:4868:4868:
[monks data]
Attendance: 51,370
Chelsea logo
Europa League | Final
May 29, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

4-1

Giroud (49'), Pedro (60'), Hazard (65' pen., 72')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Iwobi (69')

Petr Cech ignoring reports of Chelsea return ahead of Europa League final

The veteran goalkeeper has been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge.

Petr Cech maintains his "sole focus" is to help Arsenal win the Europa League following a report the goalkeeper was set to return to his former club Chelsea in a sporting director role.

Cech, who turned 37 on Monday, confirmed he will retire following the showpiece game between the Gunners and the Blues in Azerbaijan next week.

A report on Tuesday evening suggested Cech – who joined Chelsea from Rennes in 2004 and went on to win a string of trophies, including four Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League – was set to take up an off-field role at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea did not comment when contacted by Press Association Sport concerning the story.

Later, Cech took to social media to stress no decision on his future had yet been made.

He said in a post on Twitter: "Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before , I'll make decision about my future after the last game . Now my sole focus is to win the EL with @Arsenal "

Michael Emenalo left his role as Chelsea's technical director during November 2017 to join Monaco.

After helping Arsenal to reach the Europa League final with victory over Valencia, Cech was asked about his plans once he finally hung up his gloves at the end of the season.

The goalkeeper said in a pitchside interview with BT Sport following the 4-2 second-leg win in Spain: "Well, I have to say I keep the door open for whatever comes.

"You know, staying home, doing nothing, playing ice hockey, playing drums or doing something in football straight away is always a possibility.

"I will just sit at home and I will see what will come – but now really I concentrate on these last weeks, the final, I want to win it, that is all I want."

Cech added: "I always say the final is there to win, nothing else. In 10 years, nobody remembers who you beat, only the one who won, so you have to be on the winning side."

Earlier on Tuesday, Arsenal manager Unai Emery hinted that, despite losing his regular first-team place to Bernd Leno, the veteran goalkeeper is likely to start at Baku's Olympic Stadium on May 29.

"(Cech's) here because he deserves to be here. His commitment to Arsenal is big. He was playing the last (Europa League) matches, perfect matches, with big performances. I want to enjoy with him this final in his career," Emery said.

Petr Cech (PA)
Petr Cech is set to retire after Arsenal's final game of the season (John Walton/PA)

"I'm a privileged coach to be with him. We're going to use all our effort to win and to be together and enjoy this final together.

"I trust and believe in him. I can use him, I can use Leno, but above all I want to enjoy this with the players, and (what is) a special moment for some players.

"I spoke with Aaron Ramsey, who's injured, but it's the same with Petr Cech. I want to be with him (for) his last match, playing or not."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '9a7122e3-022d-493b-9bfc-26cd24f4c13a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Petr Cech insists \u2018sole focus\u2019 is on trying to win the Europa League'});

ID:359936: cacheID:359936:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8716:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech pictured in January 2019
Read Next:
Chelsea refuse to comment on Petr Cech return
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 2
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!