Jose Mourinho has reiterated his desire to keep Petr Cech at Chelsea next season, particularly if other clubs in the Premier League are interested in signing the goalkeeper.
The Czech shot-stopper has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after spending much of the campaign on the bench behind Thibaut Courtois.
"One thing is Jose Mourinho and another is Mr Abramovich, and another thing is the board, because the board is a little bit of me and a little bit of other people. If it was me, if it was my decision, the decision is Petr to stay. That's it. It would be my decision for Petr to stay. Even against his will? Yes," The Guardian quotes the manager as saying.
"I think that the club is more important than the player and, as was true this season, the club needs two very good goalkeepers. Without Petr this season, I don't think the club would be champions because he played six important matches in the Premier League. Without these points, we probably wouldn't be champions.
"For me, decision number one, Petr will stay. After that, second point, to go but not in England. The option I don't want is for him to go to an English club. But, I repeat, I am just the manager and he means so much for this club and what he did in this club, I think he deserves everything from this club. If the club decision is different to mine I will accept it."
Cech has been linked with a string of clubs, including Inter Milan and Arsenal, since Courtois returned from his loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
Sian Cowper
