Chelsea chief Petr Cech could make retirement comeback after Prem squad announcement

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Petr Cech has been included in Chelsea's squad list for the 2020/21 season.

Chelsea technical adviser Petr Cech has been sensationally named in their Premier League squad list for the 2020/21 season.

Premier League clubs had until October 20 to name their squads for the season.

Clubs could register 25 first-team players over the age of 21, with at least eight of them homegrown.

There was no restriction on the number of under-21 players that could be named.

But to the surprise of many, Cech was named among the first-team players.

Chelsea chief Petr Cech could make retirement comeback after Prem squad announcement
Petr Cech last played for Chelsea in 2015 (Image: GETTY)

A club statement read: "Petr Cech has been included in the squad as emergency goalkeeper cover. This is a precautionary step due to the unprecedented conditions currently caused by the Covid-19 crisis. He takes up a position as a non-contract player."

With Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero and summer signing Edouard Mendy in the squad, it would take a major injury crisis for Cech to be included in a matchday squad.

His last appearance for the club came in 2015 after Thibaut Courtois had taken over from him as Chelsea's No 1.

He then spent four years at rivals Arsenal before retiring in 2019.

Chelsea chief Petr Cech could make retirement comeback after Prem squad announcement
Petr Cech is a technical adviser at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)

He then rejoined Chelsea later that year as a player and technical performance advisor.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard believes his side will be better for their experience in the Champions League last season, when they were convincingly beaten by Bayern Munich.

"It's a great platform to learn from because you’re playing against the best in Europe and we played the best last season in Bayern Munich," said Lampard.

"It shows you the quality you face in the Champions League and it also shows that we were a young team last year, many playing in the Champions League for the first time, and we can use and learn from those experiences.

"Bayern was a great marker for the young players in the squad, for understanding about the level that needs to be attained."