Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he will not sell popular goalkeeper Petr Cech to Premier League rivals Arsenal if he can avoid it, according to the Daily Star.
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Arsenal target Petr Cech discusses his Chelsea future
Mourinho is keen to keep hold of the veteran shot stopper, and doesn’t want to lose him to his old nemesis Arsene Wenger, who is still in the hunt for a new number one.
“For me, decision No.1 is Petr will stay. After that, second point to go but not in England,” Mourinho said.
“The option I don’t want is for him to go to an English club.”
Both Paris Saint Germain and Inter Milan are thought to be much more likely destinations for the club stalwart, who is still being rated at around the £10m mark.
But the Gunners have struggled to settle on a regular first choice stopper, with both David Ospina and Polish international Wojciech Szczesny taking up half a season each, with neither able to command the spot for the entire campaign.
However, after making just six starts this term, Cech is looking to move on, though Mourinho has said that owner Roman Abramovich will make the final call on his future.
“It would be my decision for Petr to stay.
“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.
“If the club decision is different to mine I will accept it.”