Jose Mourinho says he wants Petr Cech to stay at Chelsea

Image: Jose Mourinho and goalkeeper Petr Cech during a Chelsea training session

Jose Mourinho insists he wants Petr Cech to stay at Stamford Bridge and says Chelsea would not be champions if it was not for the long-serving goalkeeper.

Cech has been displaced as first choice keeper after 10 seasons in west London by Thibaut Courtois.

The Czech international is understandably frustrated and has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, but Mourinho is adamant he wants the 32-year-old to stay and certainly does not want him going to another Premier League side.

"One thing is Jose Mourinho and another is Mr Abramovich and another thing is the board because the board includes a little bit of me, a little bit of other people," he said.

"But if it was me, if it was my decision, my decision is Petr to stay. That's it. It would be my decision for Petr to stay."

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Such a stance may upset Cech but Mourinho said he would be willing to go against the will of the player for the betterment of the club.

"I think that the club is more important than the players and, as was proved this season, the club needs two very good goalkeepers," he said.

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"Without Petr this season, I don't think the club would be champions because he played six important matches in the Premier League and without these points we probably wouldn't be champions.

"So 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.

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"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 with all the respect."

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