If the Stamford Bridge club have a major shake-up in the summer as expected, could they look to bring in a new goalkeeper?
The futures of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba have been the subject of speculation over the past few weeks and months, but their stalwart goalkeeper may be another who could move on.
Cech has been at the club since 2004, but Chelsea’s aim to invest in youth and stars of the future could mean he is ousted.
His once fractured skull which causes him to wear protective headgear may prevent him from playing on until his late 30s and even 40, like fellow stoppers Brad Friedel and Edwin van der Sar.
Cech has hardly had a bad season, the defence in front of him has probably been the most inconsistent he has played behind during his time at Chelsea.
But what would Chelsea’s options be if the hierarchy decided to shake things up?
Well Hilario and Ross Turnbull, Chelsea’s reserves, have failed to show why they should stake a claim to the number one spot, so you can discount them straight away.
A goalkeeper Blues fans have high hopes for is Belgian 20-year-old Thibaut Courtois.
He has been on loan at Atletico Madrid all year, replacing David de Gea and has earned plaudits for his performances.
This month he revealed he held talks with boss Andre Villas-Boas in January, adding that he does not expect to be a Chelsea first choice until around 2015.
He says he would like to spend one more season in Madrid, before another couple on loan at an English side to adjust to the Premier League.
That could all change, especially if a new manager comes in during the summer at Chelsea and has different ideas.
Another goalkeeper linked has been Russian Igor Akinfeev, who had to deny rumours of a transfer over the weekend, insisting he is happy in Moscow.
He is highly rated and that could develop over the coming months, we feel another good choice would be French number one Hugo Lloris who is still at Lyon and will surely move on to a new club at some stage. Why not Chelsea?
It will be a dilemma for the club to consider in the months ahead. They can rest assured that the reliable Cech will not let them down.
They may be better off attending to more urgent areas of the team which need addressing, up front and in midfield.
Still, a decision must be made whether to stick with Cech for the next three years until Courtois is recalled, bring the young Belgian in now, or sign a new goalkeeper as an interim.
Our gut feeling is that Cech will still be Chelsea’s number one next season, but in football, you never know what is around the corner?
Who should Chelsea’s number one be next season?
image: © Ben Sutherland
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