That`s the important bit CP, Arsenal (or any other rival) don`t need to beat Chelsea, they just need to beat more of the other teams
Said my congrats on the Arsenal board earlier. Great player and a Chelsea legend. We couldn't expect someone of his quality to play second fiddle to anyone, and although we would have all preferred him to have moved abroad, I think the club have done the right thing here. After 11 years world class service and all the trophies, it would have been horrible for there to have been bad blood between player and club at the end. He obviously wanted to stay in London, both his kids were born in London and are essentially English and he has to put his family before CFC, and am glad CFC saw it that way. Surprised we got £10m for him though to be honest, I was thinking 5-7m max! £10m for a 33 year old is a decent price, especially when he only had a year left on his contract. Anyways, Good luck Petr, Always a Chelsea legend! please log in to view this image
He's still better than Courtois simply because he doesn't drop clangers as often. It would have made more sense to loan out Courtois last and next season, it's not like he wasn't playing for a top club. It's a fantastic signing for Arsenal.
Definitely not. Cech whilst still is top class isn't our future. Courtois has made a few clangers but he's still so good. Dominates that box so well which is handy considering how deep we drop. Courtois made it clear he didn't want to keep going on loan so we had to play him to keep him. Anyway good luck Petr. Absolute legend and i'm glad the club has rewarded his loyalty by letting him go to a rival. Shows how much class the club has
The club has shown loyalty and respect towards a great servant by allowing him to go where he wanted (i.e to stay in London). We did similar with Cudicini when we allowed him to go to Spurs after Cech arrived. It's a pity players aren't treated a bit more like human beings rather than commodities a bit more often (though I accept they get paid mental money). Must be weird Piskie seeing a player leave with well wishes (especially to a rival) given the gooners recent history of hating every half decent player that leaves you
Have you seen all the good luck Petr messages onTwitter ? Obviously from all the morons and haters out there ! He also had some death threats which must be nice for him and his family. At Arsenal we might dislike a player who ****s off like a mercenary after they have run down contract so we have to sell them (RVP Nasri) but we did seem to wish Cesc good luck, and we didn't hang anyone up like Spurs fans did when Sol joined us! On this forum there has been loads of well wishes which is classy of you guys and shows the respect you had for him
Don't follow twitter and by what you're saying I've made a good choice! The true test will be match days and I'm certain Cech will get a decent reception like Frank and Drogba before him.
While not all Chelsea players are everyone's cup of tea, Cech is one of those players who even rivals all seem to like. Will be weird to see him play for Arsenal; he's just so synominous with Chelsea. Would have gladly had him at Liverpool. But never mind; Bogdan's world class as well.
Courtois has won 3 league titles in 3 different countries and appeared in a CL final all before the age of 23. Don't think anyone else in EPL has done that.
Apart from winning the Premier League when he was 22, the Europa League when he was 19 and the UEFA Super Cup when he was 19. You might have also noticed that he was picked by his fellow professionals and the sports writers for the team of the season which is a decent personal achievement! There's nothing that upsets you old bastards more than the suggestion that Courtois isn't the best keeper to have played the game!
Don't want to beat the drum too hard but the Mata sale was also a show of class, and not a mistake by improving our rivals. Just saying.
I would agree with this, Chelsea let Mata go to a good team where he will get to play his game because he is too good to be left on a bench.
Makes you wonder re:Mata and now Cech who we have in the pipeline to replace if we can afford to let such quality players go! Some serious soccernomics going on at Chelsea these days!
Thought that would get a bite!! Nothing that upsets you mancs more than down playing the ability of the next player you're grooming for Real