Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho admitted that he is excited about seeing Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech back at Stamford Bridge on Saturday…but only after the match.
The Czech Republic great enjoyed 11 years at Stamford Bridge, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League in 2013. He enjoyed much of his success alongside Mourinho, but the two men were separated this summer when the keeper sought a move away from West London.
He ultimately ended up at Arsenal where, after a tricky first Premier League outing against West Ham United, he has begun to demonstrate his worth for the Gunners.
While Arsene Wenger’s side have conceded only three goals in five fixtures in the EPL, they conceded two against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek with David Ospina back between the sticks.
As reported by Goal. Mourinho has admitted that whilst Saturday’s fixture is ongoing, Cech will be just another goalkeeper, but has conceded that after the match, he will offer the warm hand of friendship to his former No. 1: “For me, until the game finishes, that’s exactly what it is [Chelsea against any goalkeeper]. After the game, it’s not the same to meet Petr Cech in the tunnel, or Ospina or some of the guys I don’t have a special connection with.
“I never had a doubt. If anyone, a Chelsea fan, has a different perspective of what football is and thought that Cech would open the goal and let Chelsea win, they understood in the [Community] Shield they are there to win, probably more than ever.
“After the game, the dressing room door is open.”
SEE ALSO:
Chelsea transfer news: Mourinho asks scouts to find replacement for THIS underperformer
Chelsea predicted line up vs Arsenal: Young duo handed starts, new role for Oscar, Costa returns up front
FIFA 16 strongest players, including Manchester City star & former QPR giant
The coach has also downplayed the importance of the match, insisting that it’s not a title decider: “Two seasons ago we won every match against the title contenders and we were not champions, so I think it’s important because somebody winning means somebody loses points. But it’s not crucial,” Mourinho continued.
“I don’t go in that direction [that Arsenal are title challengers]. I just go into the match tomorrow. Our fantastic record doesn’t matter, that they beat us in the Charity Shield doesn’t matter.
“It’s just Chelsea [versus] Arsenal, it’s a match we want to win. Because it’s a match and if we’re looking at the table, we know the distance we have in relation to the top of the league so I don’t think that helps us.”