Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech claims his club can win the Champions league this season
Chelsea is convinced that this season, his club can finally lift the Champions league trophy.
Since last season, Chelsea have the services of the likes of Joe Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Deco and Michael Ballack but the shot stopper claims that the Blues can break the “hoodoo” and secure the coveted title for the first time.
Chelsea faced some tough opposition last season in the form of eventual Champions Inter Milan in the Round of 16 but the Czech International is more optimistic about his club’s chances this season. Last season, in what was Carlo Ancelotti’s first year in charge of Chelsea, the club managed their first ever double, winning the premier league as well as the FA Cup but it’s the Champions league trophy that has always eluded them.
Chelsea suffered heart break in Moscow in 2008, when John Terry missed the penalty which gifted rivals Manchester United the trophy for the third time in history. That defeat has done nothing but intensified their hunger of the coveted trophy. Chelsea would be facing Slovakian Champions MSK Zilina in the opening game of this year’s Champions league season and Cech is looking forward to facing the side. The player claimed that they enter this season with their hopes and spirits high and have been playing extremely well domestically. The shot stopper claimed that they are ready to feature in the Champions league, following winning the double last season.
"The previous seasons we have always been in the semi-final and once in the final, but we all believe that this time is going to be the breakthrough. We all believe before every season that we can go all the way and win it. "I believe that because of the work I can see every day at the training ground, starting with the manager and finishing with all the people working for the club”, claimed the 28 year old goalkeeper. Since joining Chelsea back in 2004, Cech has made over 188 league appearances for the Blues and a total of 260 in all competitions.
Cech went on to say that they have always had the required quality and team spirit at Chelsea but they would want to prove their worth from the start of the tournament. Chelsea have maintained a hundred percent win record in the premier league this season and has scored almost at will. The team lost to title rivals Manchester United in the pre-season Community Shield match but have been unstoppable ever since. The club is yet to miss the services of their departing stars and seem stronger than ever.
The attacking force in the form of Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka are like wine - they get better with age. Both are in their early thirty’s but are better than almost of all of the attackers in the premier league as well as in Europe. The team has already scored 16 goals so far this season and is strong as a unit. If they keep on playing at the highest level, they would be no stopping them in the league or in Europe.
Although recent reports have claimed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not obsessed with the European title, yet that is the only trophy the team truly desires. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has lifted the title twice with his previous club, AC Milan and that was the major reason behind Abramovich paying the manager for his services. However, to lift the crown, Chelsea would have to go through the best sides in Europe, which include the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and AC Milan and nothing but the top level of football can get them past such quality sides.
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