• Premier League

Mourinho bids to keep Cech with vice-captaincy

ESPN staff
July 10, 2014
Cole joins Roma

Jose Mourinho will reportedly offer Petr Cech the Chelsea vice-captaincy in a bid to keep him at Stamford Bridge next season.

Cech, heading into his 10th season at Stamford Bridge, is set to be replaced as the club's No.1 goalkeeper with Thibaut Courtois returning from a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid.

Courtois played a key role in helping to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League last season with the Times reporting Mouringo believes the Belgian can be the club's first-choice for the next decade.

Petr Cech is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder © Getty Images
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Following Frank Lampard's departure, the role of vice-captain could now go to Cech in a bid to keep him content. However, the player is said to want assurances there will be a fair fight for the No.1 shirt.

Courtois will be given an early opportunity to establish himself in the side with Cech ruled out for the start of the season as he recovers from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the Champions League semi-final defeat to Atletico in April. Cech began pre-season training on Wednesday but was limited to gym work.

The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

The situation mirrors that which Mourinho faced when he took over Chelsea for his first spell at the club 10 years ago. Cech was promoted to the role of first-choice goalkeeper above the long-serving Carlo Cudicini.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed the signing of Mario Pasalic, the Croatia Under-21 midfielder, from Hajduk Split.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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