Old on a minute
Published: 23rd July 2012
CHELSEA keeper Petr Cech has challenged his new team-mates to show they have the character to replace the old guard.
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The Champions League winner believes this is the start of a new era for Blues as boss Roberto Di Matteo sets about rejuvenating his squad.
And Cech says that it is imperative new arrivals Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and soon-to-be-signed Oscar quickly buy into the club’s winning mentality.
He said: “It was a huge moment in our history to win the Champions League and now it feels like a new era at Chelsea because we have a new manager and quite a lot of new players.
“Some big characters have left us and we will only see the personalities of the new players emerging when the season starts properly.
“At the moment it’s pre-season and everyone is able to play, so we’re all enjoying each other’s company, working hard get fit.
“But things look different when suddenly you’re on the bench. That’s when the true personalities will start to show and I hope that we’re going to be OK.
“We still have experienced players but now we have the positive, new, young players who are hungry and motivated, which is great.
“The challenge for them is to show they are not just here by accident, that they are quality players who deserve to be a part of this Chelsea team.
“It’s a similar situation to when I joined in 2004.
“You had the guys who had experience and I was one of eight players coming in, hungry and ready to show we were worth it.
“We have always had that mentality at Chelsea and that’s why we have won so many trophies every year.
“You cannot buy that winning mentality, you can only get it from people who have already got it. So we hope we never lose that.
“But when you bring in new players it’s a huge chance for them to make their life and their careers. And you can see that they will all go for it.”
Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Jose Bosingwa, Salomon Kalou and Alex have all left this year, but Cech insists that he has no intention of quitting Stamford Bridge.
The Czech star has just signed a new four-year deal following his performance in the Champions League final penalty shootout in Munich on May 19.
And Cech insists: “This is my ninth season at the club and I always knew I was going to stay.
“I’m happy at Chelsea because I feel a big part of an ambitious and successful club and there was no need for me to change. I enjoy being a part of this circus.
“When I joined I was one of the youngest and even though I’m now one of the oldest, I’m still only 30.
“I still have the same hunger and appetite for this club as I did when I arrived.
“When the day comes that I don’t have the hunger to go through pre-season and then travel all over the world for 60 games, that’s when I will stop.
“But even playing in these pre-season games, I still get goose bumps when I run out onto the pitch. That has never changed since my first day at this club.”
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