Czech association football and ice rink ice hockey actor

Petr Čech [ 4 ] ( Czech pronunciation : [ ˈpɛtr̩ ˈtʃɛx ] ( ) ; born 20 May 1982 ) is a czech early professional football player who is a technical and performance adviser for English baseball club Chelsea. He besides plays semi-professional ice ice hockey as a goalkeeper for Guildford Phoenix. Described by numerous players, pundits and managers as one of the greatest goalkeepers in history, [ niobium 1 ] he is argued, aboard Peter Schmeichel, to be the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history. [ nota bene 2 ] Čech began his senior career at Chmel Blšany in 1999, where he played sporadically for two seasons prior to relocating to Sparta Prague in 2001. At historic period 19, Čech became a beginning team regular, and his individual crusade with the club saw him register a league record of not conceding a goal in 903 competitive minutes. This led to his first be active overseas, when he relocated to France to join Ligue 1 side Rennes for a fee of €5.5 million ( £3.9 million ) in 2002.

Reading: Petr Čech

In France, Čech starred in an under-performing team, and was the subject of a then club-record transfer for a goalkeeper when he moved to Premier League english Chelsea for a fee of £7 million ( €9.8 million ) in 2004. During his eleven year affiliation with the club, Čech registered 494 elder appearances, making him the club ‘s highest oversea appearance godhead, and sixth all-time. [ 20 ] He besides helped the clubhouse win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one UEFA Europa League title. Čech besides holds Chelsea ‘s all-time read for clean sheets, with 228. [ 21 ] Čech departed Chelsea in 2015 to join city rivals Arsenal for a tip of £10 million, where he won another FA Cup before retiring in 2019. A Czech external, Čech made his debut with the Czech Republic in 2002, and is the most cap player in the history of the Czech national team, with 124 caps. He represented his state at the 2006 World Cup, ampere well as the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 european Championships. He was voted into the Euro 2004 All-Star team after helping the Czechs reach the semi-finals, and served as the team ‘s captain, prior to retiring from international rival in 2016. Čech besides holds the record for the most Czech Footballer of the class and Czech Golden Ball wins. Čech holds a numeral of goalkeeping records, including the Premier League record for few appearances required to reach 100 clean sheets, having done so in 180 appearances, the most clean sheets in a season ( 24 ), a well as the criminal record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history ( 202 ). [ 22 ] [ 23 ] Čech is besides the alone goalkeeper to have won the Premier League Golden Glove with two separate clubs, and has won it a joint record four times ; in the 2004–05, 2009–10, 2013–14 and the 2015–16 seasons. He was voted the IFFHS World ‘s Best goalkeeper in 2005, received the award of Best Goalkeeper in the 2004–05, 2006–07 and 2007–08 editions of the UEFA Champions League, and went 1,025 minutes without conceding a finish in the 2004–05 season, a league criminal record. [ a ] He has the third-most blank sheets since 2000 among all goalkeepers. [ 25 ]

Club career [edit ]

early career [edit ]

Čech started playing football aged seven for Škoda Plzeň ( late known as Viktoria Plzeň ). In his early days, he played as a striker, although he moved to the goalkeeper position after breaking his leg at long time ten. [ 26 ] Čech joined Czech First League team Chmel Blšany in June 1999 [ 27 ] and made his league debut at the historic period of 17 in October 1999, in a 3–1 loss against Sparta. [ 27 ] Čech signed a 5+1⁄2-year contract with Sparta Prague at the age of 18 in January 2001, although he remained at Blšany until the end of the 2000–01 season. [ 28 ] In November 2001, Čech broke the record once held by Theodor Reimann for the longest meter elapsed without conceding a goal in the Czech professional league, stretching his run to 855 minutes. [ 29 ] His clean and jerk tabloid commemorate ultimately ended when he was beaten by a goal from Marcel Melecký of Bohemians on 17 November 2001, ending his record at 903 consecutive minutes without conceding. [ 30 ] Despite Čech not winning the league title in the spring of 2002 with Sparta, he attracted interest from English clubs including Arsenal due to his international performances. Due to difficulties in obtaining a oeuvre permit, however, a proposed deal with the Gunners fell through. [ 31 ]

Rennes [edit ]

In July 2002, Čech moved to french club Rennes, signing a four-year contract for a transfer tip reported as CZK150 million ( €5.5 million ). [ 32 ] During his first gear season in France, he was awarded man of the pit against Paris Saint-Germain by L’Équipe. [ 33 ] In May 2003, Rennes was at the bottom of the league table, [ 33 ] yet escaped relegation with a gain over Montpellier in the final examination matchday. [ 34 ]

Chelsea [edit ]

Chelsea made a transfer wish for Čech in January 2004 which was rejected. [ 35 ] however in February Rennes agreed to Čech ‘s go to Chelsea for £ 7 million. Čech signed a five-year compress, to commence in July 2004, becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in Chelsea ‘s history at that time. [ 36 ] [ 37 ] Čech ‘s was one of many british club transfers that came under the spotlight in the 2006 football corruption investigation for being potentially in breach of transfer regulations. The Stevens inquiry composition, published in June 2007, found no evidence of illegal payments. [ 38 ]

2004–06 : Golden Glove, back-to-back Premier League wins [edit ]

When Čech arrived at Chelsea, Carlo Cudicini was already established as Chelsea ‘s first choice goalkeeper. Cudicini, however, suffered a pre-season elbow wound that allowed Chelsea director José Mourinho to promote Čech into the starting smudge, where he became the first-choice goalkeeper in his first base temper. He kept a clean sail in his Premier League debut in a 1–0 victory over Manchester United. [ 39 ] On 5 March 2005, Čech set a new Premier League record of 1,025 minutes without letting in a goal, though his record was belated broken by Manchester United ‘s Edwin avant-garde five hundred Sar. Čech ultimately conceded to Leon McKenzie of Norwich City, after keeping a clean plane in the league since 12 December 2004 when Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal. [ 37 ] Čech was given a extra prize by the Premier League for the modern record, and he was besides awarded the Premier League Golden Glove at the end of the 2004–05 season for keeping a record 21 fairly sheets in the Premier League. [ 40 ] Chelsea retained the Premier League title in the 2005–06 temper, with Čech play in 34 league matches. Chelsea conceded equitable 22 times during the season. [ 41 ] In January 2006, he was named the IFFHS World ‘s Best goalkeeper for 2005. [ 42 ] In February 2006, Čech signed a biennial abridge extension, keeping him at the cabaret until 2010. [ 43 ] He was besides named the Czech Footballer of the class for the first time. [ 44 ] Čech undergo minor shoulder operation on 27 June 2006 to repair a long-standing wound stemming from the previous season. [ 45 ] He returned to action on 27 August 2006. [ 46 ]
Čech and Arjen Robben celebrate their second Premier League title in 2006

Head injury [edit ]

Čech sustained a drumhead injury in the couple against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 14 October 2006 when he collided with Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt inside Chelsea ‘s penalty area within the first minute of a Premier League match. Hunt ‘s proper knee hit Čech ‘s head, leaving the goalkeeper requiring treatment. [ 47 ] Čech was taken off after respective minutes and replaced by Carlo Cudicini, who himself was knocked unconscious later in the like plot, forcing Chelsea captain John Terry to play in goal for the match ‘s remaining minutes. [ 47 ] Čech undergo operation for a depress skull fracture. [ 48 ] Initially unaware of the earnestness of the injury, the doctors late reported that it about cost Čech his life, [ 49 ] and as a leave of the collision, he suffered acute headaches. Chelsea went on to win the match 1–0. [ 50 ] Chelsea coach José Mourinho blamed Hunt for Čech ‘s injury, saying that his challenge was “ a take down ”. [ 51 ] He besides criticised the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust [ 52 ] and match reviewer Mike Riley. [ 53 ] A phone number of commentators, including current and former goalkeepers, saw the incidental as highlighting the want for greater protection for goalkeepers. [ 54 ] [ 55 ] Čech was able to return home on 24 October 2006 and participated in light training the follow week. Chelsea, however, announced that the goalkeeper would be out for three months, in line with aesculapian advice on the meter needed for arrant recovery from the skull fracture. [ 56 ] In an consultation, Čech said that he had no memory of the injury itself. [ 57 ]
Čech play for Chelsea in 2007

refund [edit ]

Čech made his comeback in a Premier League match in a 2–0 get the better of against Liverpool on 20 January 2007, wearing a rugby style headguard [ 58 ] made by Canterbury of New Zealand and carrying the manufacturer ‘s logo. This cause friction with Czech national team sponsor Puma and Chelsea ‘s apparel manufacturer Adidas. The matter was resolved after the latter sponsor developed its own headgear for Čech to wear in club matches, while the actor went on to wear an unbranded capital for national team games. Čech wore the headguard for the rest of his career. Although Chelsea lost Čech ‘s rejoinder match, he then went approximately 810 minutes of Premier League play without conceding a goal. On 11 April 2007, Čech was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for the first base fourth dimension in his career, in recognition of his eight consecutive league clean sheets. He was the first goalkeeper to receive the prize since Tim Flowers in 2000. [ 60 ] This move was ended during a 4–1 Chelsea victory over West Ham United on 18 April 2007 when Carlos Tevez scored against him. [ citation needed ] Čech besides kept a clean sheet for Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. He and United ‘s Edwin van five hundred Sar shared the respect of being the first goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over 90 minutes in a competitive regular at the new Wembley Stadium, but Čech became the first goalkeeper to end a competitive game unbeaten, as Chelsea pulse United 1–0 to win the FA Cup. [ 61 ]

2007–09 : UEFA Champions League finalist, FA Cup exuberate [edit ]

Čech train for Chelsea in 2008 Čech started the 2007–08 season conceding two goals against Birmingham City in the first match of the season. Despite this, Chelsea managed to win 3–2 and set an english record for their 64th consecutive unbeaten league match at home. [ 62 ] In November 2007, Čech suffered an injury to his right calf muscle in the 0–0 UEFA Champions League group stagecoach pit at Schalke 04. [ 63 ] The following calendar month, on 23 December 2007, he had to be replaced during a match against Blackburn Rovers due to a hep injury. [ 64 ] Chelsea suffered their first major shock when they lost the League Cup final to Tottenham Hotspur, with Čech parrying the ball onto Jonathan Woodgate ‘s head for the achiever. [ 65 ] He played in respective games until injuring his ankle in train on the eve of Chelsea ‘s family Champions League affiliation with greek champions Olympiacos. [ 66 ] [ 67 ] In the weeks that followed, Čech missed keystone games of Chelsea ‘s campaign, including the bowler hat with Arsenal and both legs of the Champions League quarter-final. [ citation needed ] On 7 April 2008, it was announced that Čech had undergo emergency surgery on his kuki and lips following an accidental collision with Tal Ben Haim during education. [ 68 ] [ 69 ] He had 50 stitches put on his mouth and chin. [ 70 ] He returned to action on 14 April, in a home peer against Wigan Athletic which Chelsea drew 1–1. He appeared in the Champions League concluding against Manchester United, where Chelsea lost in a punishment shoot-out. [ citation needed ]
Čech before Chelsea ‘s first plot of the 2008–09 season against Portsmouth Čech signed a fresh five-year contract in July 2008 to keep him at Chelsea until 2013. [ 40 ] Chelsea started the 2008–09 temper in adept form, conceding only 7 goals in 17 games and keeping 11 clean sheets, 10 of which with Čech in goal. [ citation needed ] In November 2008, Chelsea beat Sunderland 5–0 at Stamford Bridge, a plot which marked the hundredth pit Čech had played for Chelsea without conceding a goal. [ 71 ] Chelsea had a 1–0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League on his two-hundredth appearance for the baseball club, and he besides starred in a 1–0 away victory at Villa Park against Aston Villa, saving from Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry. The succeed week, Čech helped Chelsea move up to second gear place in the league by saving from Paul Scharner in the foremost half against Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea won 2–1. consecutive clean sheets by Čech in Chelsea ‘s wins against Portsmouth and Coventry City saw his side consolidate their status in the Premier League whilst progressing into the FA Cup semi-finals. Čech besides made saves from Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso as Chelsea beat Liverpool 3–1 at Anfield in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. [ citation needed ] In a all-important Premier League game in April 2009, with Chelsea comfortably leading 4–0 against Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea director Guus Hiddink took off both Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard only for Bolton to score three late goals which questioned the Chelsea defense, and in particular Čech. Čech, however, responded when he saved a penalty from Mark Noble in Chelsea ‘s 1–0 win at the Boleyn Ground against West Ham. [ 72 ] He besides kept a clean sail in the adjacent game against Barcelona during the Champions League semi-final first branch peer. Following a 3–2 succeed against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Čech and Chelsea finished the season with the joint-tightest defense in the Premier League along with Manchester United, having conceded merely 24 goals over the course of the season. [ 73 ] Despite conceding the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, Čech helped Chelsea ‘s 2009 FA Cup Final wallow over Everton. Chelsea won 2–1, earning the Czech his seventh trophy at the club. [ 74 ] Former Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari accused Čech, Michael Ballack and Drogba of causing his sack, saying that they “ did not accept my training methods or my demands ”. Scolari besides said that it stemmed from a row between him and the Czech goalkeeper over the latter ‘s alleged insistence on being given a personal bus. Čech denied the claims saying that he was “ disappoint with [ Scolari ] because never in my liveliness have I had a personal goalkeeping bus ”. [ 75 ]
Čech train for Chelsea in 2010

2009–10 : domestic double, irregular Golden Glove [edit ]

Čech began the 2009–10 temper in winning mannequin with Chelsea, beating Manchester United in the Community Shield final at Wembley. With the game level at 2–2 at the end of normal clock, Čech saved penalties from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra. [ 76 ] Čech kept finish for Chelsea in the six-match gain campaign that opened their season and placed them on top of the Premier League. On 26 September 2009, however, Čech was sent off and at the same time conceded the winning penalty for a trip on Wigan forth Hugo Rodallega, in the defeat that broke the campaign and conceded the contribute in the league to Manchester United. [ 77 ] On 27 February 2010, Čech sustained a calf wound in the Champions League match against Inter Milan. [ 78 ] On 13 April, Čech kept his hundredth Premier League clean tabloid for Chelsea, against Bolton. [ 79 ] He won his second Premier League Golden Glove award for the season, having kept 17 uninfected sheets in the Premier League as Chelsea secured a one-third title. [ 80 ] He concluded his temper by saving a Kevin-Prince Boateng punishment against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final, ensuring that the Blues went on to retain the Cup and achieve their first domestic double. [ 81 ]

2010–13 : Sustained domestic and european achiever [edit ]

Čech act for Chelsea in 2010 During 2010–11 pre-season training, Čech reaggravated the calf wound he suffered against Inter the former temper. [ 63 ] Scans revealed a muscleman pluck that sidelined him for the following three weeks, including Chelsea ‘s 3–1 loss to Manchester United in the Community Shield. He returned on 14 August and kept a clean sheet as Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 6–0. Čech then kept another clean sheet in a 2–0 acquire over Arsenal, [ 82 ] before keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 drawing card at Villa Park. [ 83 ] On 7 March, Čech made his three-hundredth Chelsea appearance, against Premier League side Blackpool, which Chelsea went on to win 3–1. On 19 May, Čech was awarded the Chelsea Player of the year for the first time. More than 28,000 fans voted for the award, which was handed over by Chelsea director Carlo Ancelotti. [ 84 ] Čech started the open game of Chelsea ‘s 2011–12 Premier League season off to Stoke City, which ended 0–0. On 18 August 2011, Čech was ruled out for astir to four weeks after he sustained a stifle injury in education. [ 85 ] He made his return three weeks former against Sunderland in which Chelsea won 2–1. He kept a clean tabloid in Chelsea ‘s first Champions League match of the season in a 2–0 succeed over Bayer Leverkusen. On 27 February, Čech was announced as the Czech Footballer of the year for 2011, winning the award for the fifth clock. [ 86 ] On 24 March, Čech played his 250th league game for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur in a 0–0 draw at Stamford Bridge. [ 87 ] Čech saved a penalty in excess time against former teammate Arjen Robben, and two penalties in the subsequent punishment shoot-out, of the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich resulting in the first Champions League win for Chelsea. [ 88 ] Čech was named the Fans ‘ Man of the Match following his epic performance in goal for The Blues. [ 89 ] By winning the Champions League, Čech became just the fourth Czech to win the competition. [ 90 ] He finished the season by signing a new four-year contract with Chelsea in May, keeping him with the baseball club until the end of the 2015–16 season. [ 91 ]
Čech started in Chelsea ‘s first base equal of the 2012–13 temper, the 2012 Community Shield against Manchester City, but failed to keep a clean sheet as Chelsea went down 3–2 to goals from Yaya Touré, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri. [ 92 ] He besides featured in the final UEFA Super Cup to be played at Monaco ‘s Stade Louis II, in which he conceded four goals as Chelsea lost 4–1 to the UEFA Europa League winners Atlético Madrid. [ 93 ] In October 2012, Čech took the captain ‘s armband as regular Chelsea captain John Terry was sidelined with a four-match prohibition. [ 94 ] In May 2013, Čech won the UEFA Europa League when Chelsea defeated Benfica 2–1 in the final examination. [ 95 ]

2013–15 : third base Golden Glove and departure [edit ]

On 19 October 2013, Čech made his three-hundredth Premier League appearance for Chelsea, in a 4–1 home win over newly promoted side Cardiff City. [ 96 ] On 11 January 2014, he kept his 209th clean sail for Chelsea in all competitions in a 2–0 away win at Hull City, beating the golf club commemorate set by Peter Bonetti. [ 97 ] On 18 March 2014, Čech made his hundredth UEFA Champions League appearance in a 2–0 win over Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge. He became the fourth goalkeeper to make a century of appearances in the contest after Iker Casillas, Víctor Valdés and Oliver Kahn. [ 98 ] On 22 April 2014, Čech was substituted in the first peg of the Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid with a shoulder injury. Chelsea director José Mourinho stated that the injury would prevent Čech from playing again in the 2013–14 season. [ 99 ] Despite the injury, Čech would finish the season as the joint achiever of the Premier League Golden Glove award along with Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, both keeping 16 clean sheets. [ 100 ]

Čech ‘s identify as Chelsea ‘s starting goalkeeper was taken at the start of the season by Thibaut Courtois. This was possibly due to Čech ‘s long standing wound concerns to his shoulder, back and knees. [ 101 ] On 24 September 2014, Čech made his beginning appearance of the season against Bolton in the third base round of the League Cup, a 2–1 victory. He made his first league appearance of the season on 5 October, replacing the hurt Courtois in the first half of a 2–0 home gain over Arsenal. [ 102 ] His second begin of the season came in the Champions League group stage victory against slovenian side Maribor, keeping a houseclean tabloid as Chelsea won 6–0. [ 103 ] With Courtois injured, Čech made his first league beginning of the season on 13 December against Hull, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win. [ 104 ] Despite him being second choice, Mourinho stated that Čech would not be sold in the January 2015 transfer window due to third-choice Mark Schwarzer leaving for Leicester City. [ 105 ] During that calendar month, Čech made back to back starts in the Premier League against Newcastle United at dwelling, followed by Swansea City away from home, keeping clean sheets in both wins. [ 106 ] [ 107 ] On 1 March 2015, Čech started in goal in the 2015 League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, keeping a clean plane in a 2–0 victory to win the trophy for the one-third meter in his career. [ 108 ]

armory [edit ]

2015–16 : Fourth Golden Glove, league runner-up [edit ]

“ death summer, things changed and I understood I was nobelium longer the first-choice keeper, but I felt it was not the correctly clock for me to go. During the season it became acquit that my site would not improve and, as I know I am not at the stage of my career where I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges. ”

Čech, via unfold letter on Twitter, about his situation on Chelsea and his move to Arsenal [ 109 ]
Čech signed for Chelsea ‘s Premier League rivals Arsenal on a four-year abridge on 29 June 2015, for a fee of around £10 million. [ 110 ] His move saw him subjected to end threats by a few Chelsea supporters. [ 111 ] The departure of Wojciech Szczęsny to Roma on lend made Čech first-choice goalkeeper ahead of David Ospina. On 2 August, Čech won his first trophy with Arsenal after beating former side Chelsea 1–0 in the 2015 FA Community Shield. [ 112 ] A week belated, he made his Premier League introduction for Arsenal in a 2–0 home frustration to West Ham. [ 113 ] On 20 October, he made his beginning Champions League appearance for Arsenal in a 2–0 win against Bayern Munich. [ 114 ] Čech recorded his hundred-and-seventieth Premier League clean sheet in a 2–0 win against AFC Bournemouth on 28 December 2015, setting a newly league read and overtaking former criminal record holder David James. [ 115 ] [ 116 ] On 2 March 2016, he was sidelined due to a calf wound while playing against Swansea. [ 117 ] On 2 April, he returned as an fresh substitute against Watford and returned to the cant on 17 April against Crystal Palace in a specialize 1–1 draw [ 117 ] and guided Arsenal to its five-hundredth Premier League win on 21 April against West Brom. [ 118 ] Marking the end of his introduction temper with Arsenal, he was named the Premier League Goalkeeper of the temper by critics and platforms for winning the Golden Glove with an under-performing defense mechanism. [ 119 ]
Čech with Arsenal in 2019

2016–17 : FA Cup win [edit ]

Čech was given the captain ‘s armband for Arsenal in their 4–3 afford day home plate personnel casualty to Liverpool. [ 120 ] In September 2016, he featured for the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 rout by Arsenal of his erstwhile side Chelsea at the Emirates. [ 121 ] On 24 April 2017, Čech played in the 2016–17 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley, which Arsenal won 2–1. [ 122 ] During this season, Cech received mild criticism among armory fans for his inability to play with the musket ball at his feet but meanwhile he had the third most clearances among all goalkeepers in Premier League with 11 which manifested his transformation into a “ sweeper keeper “. [ 123 ] Čech again held the captain ‘s armband on 10 May 2017 in a 2–0 win over Southampton at the St Mary ‘s Stadium. [ 124 ] Čech was sidelined for the FA Cup Final due to injury, but Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1. [ 125 ] Čech won his fifth FA Cup, and Arsenal became the most successful club in the history of the rival with 13 tournament wins. [ 126 ] [ 127 ]

2017–19 : record-breaker and retirement [edit ]

Čech was Arsenal ‘s starting goalkeeper in the 2017 Community Shield, against his former cabaret Chelsea ; following a 1–1 draw after regulation time, Arsenal won the match in a 4–1 punishment shoot-out, in which neither custodian saved a spot kick back. [ 128 ] [ 129 ] Čech then held the armband to captain Arsenal in their 4–3 hatchway sidereal day home win over Leicester City. [ 130 ] On 11 March 2018, Čech became the first base Premier League goalkeeper to keep 200 league fairly sheets, after a couple against Watford in which he saved a punishment from Troy Deeney. [ 131 ]
Čech started the season as the beginning option in goal for newly director Unai Emery, but by and by lost his position to new signing Bernd Leno after suffering a hamstring injury during a match against Watford. On 15 January 2019, Čech announced via open letter on chitter that he would retire at the end of the season. [ 132 ] On 29 May, he made the final appearance of his career in Arsenal ‘s 4–1 frustration to his early golf club Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final. [ 133 ]

International career [edit ]

Čech first represented his nation in November 1997 with the under-15 team, working his way up through unlike old age groups before making his elder debut for the Czech Republic in February 2002. He first came to prominence as a 20-year-old at the 2002 U-21 european Championships when his penalty shoot-out heroics in the final examination against France, letting in only one of the penalty kicks, earned the Czech Republic their beginning deed at young level. [ 134 ]
After establishing himself as the aged team ‘s inaugural choice goalkeeper, Čech was selected in the Czech Republic ‘s police squad for UEFA Euro 2004. Čech ‘s saves helped his team progress to the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Greece on the silver goal govern. He was named in the all-star team as best goalkeeper at the tournament. [ 135 ] The Czech Republic qualified for the 2006 World Cup, held in Germany, and were placed in Group E, aboard Ghana, Italy and the United States. The Czech Republic finished third base in their group, following a 3–0 win against the United States, and two losses against Ghana and Italy, the grudge 2–0 in both games, frankincense not qualifying for the knock-out stages of the tournament. [ citation needed ] On 17 October 2007, Čech captained the Czech Republic team in their euro 2008 Group D modifier against Germany. He kept a clean sheet and the Czechs defeated Germany 3–0 away to book their locate for the finals in Austria and Switzerland. In the last group game of the final tournament, Čech was beaten three times in the final 15 minutes as Turkey overcame a two-goal deficit to knock the Czechs out. Čech had a hybridization slip through his hands, allowing Nihat Kahveci to score Turkey ‘s equalising goal. [ 136 ] On 29 May 2012, Čech was named in the Czech Republic ‘s team for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. [ 137 ] In the Czech Republic ‘s group catch against Greece, a fumble from Čech allowed the Greeks a goal. [ 138 ] The match, however, finished 2–1 in the Czech Republic ‘s prefer. Čech deputised for the injure Tomáš Rosický as master in the concluding group match against Poland, as the Czech Republic qualified for the quarter-final with a 1–0 winnings. [ 139 ] Čech ‘s captainship continued in the quarter-final, where the Czechs lost to Portugal through a 79th-minute Cristiano Ronaldo finish. [ 140 ] On 26 March 2013, Čech made his hundredth appearance for the Czech Republic, keeping a fairly sail in a 3–0 win over Armenia. [ 141 ] He equalled the national phonograph record of former teammate Karel Poborský on 17 November 2015, when he earned his 118th capital in a 3–1 loss to neighbours Poland in Wrocław. [ 142 ] The following 27 May, he took the record outright by playing in a 6–0 friendly win over Malta. [ 143 ] On 8 July 2016, Čech announced his retirement from international football. He is the most cap player in the history of the Czech team, with 124 caps. [ 144 ]

Post-retirement career [edit ]

In June 2019, Čech returned to former club Chelsea as a technical and performance adviser. [ 145 ] In October 2020, Čech was included in Chelsea ‘s 25-man Premier League police squad for the 2020–21 season. [ 146 ] The club announced that Čech was included as an hand brake goalkeeper and as a non-contract player, and that this was a precautionary move due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [ 147 ] He made one appearance for the Chelsea ‘s under-23 team in the Premier League 2. [ 148 ] During a protest against the proposed european Super League outside Stamford Bridge on 20 April 2021, Čech approached fans who were blocking the team bus and could be heard saying “ give us time ”. [ 149 ] [ 150 ] The fans did travel and the team bus was able to enter after a short-circuit delay. [ 151 ] Later that day, Chelsea were among the first clubs to withdraw from the league. [ 152 ] [ 153 ]

Ice ice hockey [edit ]

On 9 October 2019, Čech signed for internal-combustion engine ice hockey side Guildford Phoenix of the National Ice Hockey League Division 2 ( flat 4 of British ice hockey ) as a goalkeeper. [ 154 ] He chose to wear phone number 39 jersey in respect of Dominik Hašek. [ 155 ] Čech said he would continue his role as a technical and performance adviser at Chelsea whilst playing ice field hockey in his spare part time. [ 156 ] He was named the world of the match on his ice field hockey debut on 13 October, after stopping two penalties in a shoot-out victory, and making respective other crucial saves. [ 157 ] [ 158 ]

Statistics [edit ]

Club

Season

GP

SO
G
A

Ref.

Guildford Phoenix

2019–20

6

2

0

0

[159]

2020–21

Season cancelled[b]

2021–22

0

0

0

0

style of meet and reception [edit ]

Čech diving in an attempt to save Thibaut Courtois ‘s penalty in Arsenal ‘s 4–1 shoot-out victory in the 2017 FA Community Shield, against his former club Chelsea

analysis [edit ]

Since his egress as a precocious endowment in his youth, Čech has been considered to be one of the greatest, most consistent, and most respect goalkeepers both of his genesis and of all time. [ 160 ] [ 161 ] [ 162 ] [ 163 ] [ 164 ] A grandiloquent, acrobatic, agile, brave, physically strong, and all-around custodian, with a strong brain, a well as dear decision-making and leadership qualities ; throughout his career he has stood out for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, american samoa well as his positional sense, concentration, defense organization, handling when coming off his line to claim crosses, and command of his area. [ nota bene 3 ] Although Čech is not as ace with the ball at his feet as the newer generation of goalkeepers that emerged in his late career, [ 177 ] he possesses a thick kick with either foot, despite being naturally left-footed. His ability to produce bass kicks and long throws came to use in his Chelsea days for starting quick counter-attacks which were an important separate of their bet on. [ 178 ] [ 179 ] [ 180 ] In his late career, he often functioned as a carpet sweeper custodian, due to his ability to rush off his pipeline, anticipate opponents who had beaten the offside trap, and clear the ball away from risk. [ 123 ] Čech is besides known for his penalty-saving abilities. Some examples of his penalty saves in high-profile matches include those made in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2010 FA Cup Final, and his penalty save against Blackburn during the 2004–05 season, which helped him beat Peter Schmeichel ‘s Premier League record of 694 minutes without conceding a goal. [ 181 ]

reception [edit ]

“ I am honoured to have been the coach that, at such an early senesce, gave Petr a top Premier League [ starting moor ]. After that day, it is all about him. All about his numbers, his performances, his clean sheets, his titles and his professionalism ” .

– former Chelsea director José Mourinho on Čech. [ 5 ]
Čech is considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers both of his generation and of all time, equally well as one of the best keepers in Premier League history, and has earned praise from several players, pundits, and managers due to his goalkeeping ability. [ 11 ] [ 160 ] [ 161 ] [ 162 ] [ 163 ] [ 164 ] Fellow goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon named Čech as the best goalkeeper of his era, saying : “ The best goalkeeper with his feet ? Pepe Reina. In the tune I ‘d say Neuer. With his hands : Casillas. The best overall I ‘d say is Čech. ” [ 182 ] Iker Casillas alternatively described him as, “ One of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen ” via his Twitter score. [ 5 ] Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann have hailed him as “ one of the greatest of all time ”. [ 183 ] Journalist Alan Tyers of The Telegraph described Čech as the “ Premier League ‘s best-ever goalkeeper ” in 2019. [ 6 ] Čech presently holds two Guinness World Records for the most clean sheets in English Premier League history, and for winning the Premier League Golden Glove Award with two unlike clubs. [ 184 ] Nathan Baxter, Martin Dúbravka, Marek Rodák and João Virgínia are some of the goalkeepers who have described him as their idol. [ 185 ] [ 186 ] [ 187 ] [ 188 ] In 2011, Čech was voted the third best goalkeeper of the first base ten of twenty-first hundred by IFFHS. He besides has the third highest number of clean sheets ( 391 ) since 2000s among all goalkeepers. [ 25 ] [ 189 ] Former Premier League striker and record-goalscorer Alan Shearer named Čech in his Premier League ‘s Team of the Decade in 2019. [ 190 ] [ 191 ]

personal life [edit ]

Čech was born a triplet along with his sister Šárka and a brother named Michal in Plzeň, Czechoslovakia. [ 192 ] He has a weaker skull as a result of being a three. [ 193 ] Čech married Martina Dolejšová ( nowadays Čechová ) ( b. 1982 ), besides of Czech nationality, in June 2003. [ 194 ] They have a daughter Adéla ( boron. 23 January 2008 ) [ 194 ] and a son Damián ( b. June 2009 ), [ 195 ] He is a exquisite musician and plays the drums. He has a YouTube channel under his own name on which he posts video recording cram covers, including Incubus ‘ “ Anna Molly “, [ 196 ] equally well as songs by Coldplay and Foo Fighters. He has played with Roger Taylor of Queen. [ 197 ] In May 2019, he and Taylor released a charity single called That’s Football. [ 198 ] In 2020, he joined folk music rock candy band Wills & The Willing as their drummer, filming their music television “ Iceberg ”. [ 199 ] Along with his native language Czech, Čech besides speaks English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. [ 200 ] [ 201 ] [ 202 ] [ 203 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

Sources : [ 204 ] [ 205 ] [ 206 ]

Club

Season

League

National Cup

League Cup

Europe

Other [i]

Total

Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals

Blšany
1999–2000
Czech First League

2
0
1
0



3
0

2000–01

Czech First League

25
0
0
0



25
0

Total

27
0
1
0



28
0

Sparta Prague
2001–02

Czech First League

27
0
3
0

12
0

42
0

Total

27
0
3
0

12
0

42
0

Rennes
2002–03
Ligue 1

37
0
4
0
0
0


41
0

2003–04

Ligue 1

33
0
3
0
1
0


37
0

Total

70
0
7
0
1
0


78
0

Chelsea
2004–05
Premier League

35
0
0
0
2
0
11
0
0
0
48
0

2005–06

Premier League

34
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
1
0
42
0

2006–07

Premier League

20
0
6
0
2
0
8
0
0
0
36
0

2007–08

Premier League

26
0
1
0
3
0
9
0
1
0
40
0

2008–09

Premier League

35
0
6
0
1
0
12
0
0
0
54
0

2009–10

Premier League

34
0
2
0
0
0
6
0
1
0
43
0

2010–11

Premier League

38
0
3
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
50
0

2011–12

Premier League

34
0
7
0
2
0
13
0
0
0
56
0

2012–13

Premier League

36
0
5
0
3
0
15
0
4
0
63
0

2013–14

Premier League

34
0
1
0
0
0
10
0
1
0
46
0

2014–15

Premier League

7
0
2
0
4
0
3
0
0
0
16
0

Total

333
0
33
0
17
0
103
0
8
0
494
0

Arsenal
2015–16

Premier League

34
0
1
0
1
0
5
0
1
0
42
0

2016–17

Premier League

35
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
37
0

2017–18

Premier League

34
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
38
0

2018–19

Premier League

7
0
2
0
2
0
11
0
0
0
22
0

Total

110
0
5
0
3
0
19
0
2
0
139
0

Career total

567
0
49
0
21
0
134
0
10
0
781
0

International [edit ]

Sources : [ 205 ] [ 206 ]
Czech Republic

Year
Apps
Goals

2002
7
0

2003
8
0

2004
13
0

2005
10
0

2006
10
0

2007
8
0

2008
9
0

2009
7
0

2010
6
0

2011
10
0

2012
10
0

2013
8
0

2014
6
0

2015
6
0

2016
6
0

Total
124
0

Honours [edit ]

Chelsea
Arsenal
Czech Republic U21
Individual
Orders

Records [edit ]

See besides [edit ]

Notes [edit ]

References [edit ]