Petr Cech
Understandably reluctant to let ‘one of the three best goalkeepers in the world’ to go; Jose Mourinho eventually said goodbye to Petr Cech as the Chelsea legend left for the Gunners on a four-year contract. The decision to let Cech depart for bitter rivals – Arsenal was approved by Roman Abramovich. The Blues’ loss is Arsenal’s gain as the Czech international brings more than 10 years of EPL experience to the Gunners, having made 486 appearances for their cross-town rivals.
The 33-year-old joined Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri’s management, who initially bought him to be an understudy to Carlo Cudicini. However, it was Mourinho after taking over at the helm who promoted Cech to his starting eleven in a debut season for both the player and the manager. It paid off as Chelsea won the league, conceding only a record 15 goals in that season. Cech kept a record 21 clean sheets during the campaign, won the Golden Glove and was also included in the PFA Team of the Year.
The Czech international has won numerous individual accolades along his illustrious association with the Blues including three Premier League Golden Gloves and the 2011 Chelsea Player of the Year award among many others.
During his 11-year stay at Chelsea, Cech won an incredible 13 major trophies including the club’s first ever Champions League trophy, a memorable penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012.
Arsenal have lacked a world-class goalkeeper since the departure of Jens Lehmann back in 2008 and the capture of Cech for around £11 million, has had the fans hoping for an end to the problems between the sticks.