Petr Cech tipping Thomas Tuchel’s new-look Chelsea to dominate Europe
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Petr Cech is backing Chelsea’s current crop to be challenging for Europe’s biggest prize for years to come.
Young enough, talented enough and growing in experience every week are the reasons why the legendary Blues keeper reckons Thomas Tuchel’s class of 2021 can dominate the Champions League.
The Londoners are through to their first final since winning the trophy in 2012 as they face Premier League champions Manchester City in Porto next Saturday.
And Cech, who starred in that victory over Bayern Munich nine years ago, predicts a bright future for Mason Moon and Co against Europe’s elite.
The former Czech ace, now technical/performance advisor at Stamford Bridge, declared: “If you look we have a really balanced team with experienced players, mid generation and younger players.
“With this mix having reached the final, it just gives you the confidence that the team, with more experience, is in the right place to get better.
"That’s down to the way the club invested in the team. with huge quality but also with the big potential in age, as well.
“And with Thomas, the performances since he arrived have been absolutely brilliant. The one clear thing is we wholly deserve to be in the final.
“We have played difficult games but, in every one, have had really high quality. We believe this team has that capability to get even better and, hopefully, that will show.
“It would be fantastic if we can win in Porto because it would give the players a huge boost of confidence, happiness and motivation for the next year.
“It would probably kick everybody even higher in terms of their career – and we could really build on that.”
Not that anything is a foregone conclusion in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, according to Cech.
Indeed, he points to the recent Champions League record of City boss Pep Guardiola to rubber-stamp the argument.
The Spaniard ruled Europe twice as Barcelona boss but, despite being in charge of Bayern Munich and then City, has taken a decade to reach his next final.
Cech went on: “Is nine years too long for Chelsea? Yes and no. We’re a club always involved in the Champions League, with high ambitions in the later stages.
“But if you look even at Pep…he has to wait ten years for another final, – even with top teams and as a top coach. Finals are not guaranteed.
“The problem is there’s a big element of luck in being successful. You influence that by playing well and doing everything right but that doesn’t stop a stroke of luck sending you home.”
Cech knows that very well. In the 2008 final, John Terry slipped with his penalty in the shoot-out and Manchester United grabbed the silverware.
Then against Bayern, Didier Drogba’s equalised in the final minute before Cech’s heroics, including a penalty save in extra-time and two in the shoot-out, saw Chelsea conquer Europe for the first time.
Cech, 39, said: “I don’t know any player who wouldn’t say winning a Champions League is his dream. You’re chasing your dream. Losing the final is one of the worst feelings.
“The days leading to a final are intense and the day of the game, it’s difficult to rest.
“I was drumming for three hours in the afternoon with the practice pads and sticks. I couldn’t relax.
“The transition from player to the office makes it hard for me to watch games now. In Munich I could have a direct influence on the outcome.
“In Porto, I’ll sit on my seat, keeping my fingers crossed that the game goes the right way.”
- Champions League
- Premier League
- Pep Guardiola
- Chelsea FC
- Manchester City FC
- Thomas Tuchel
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