Thursday 25 June 2015 17:03, UK
Ray Wilkins is surprised Chelsea are allowing Petr Cech to join Arsenal and says the goalkeeper is a bargain buy at £10.9m.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper is set to move across London when he completes his medical with the Gunners next week, with personal terms understood to have already been agreed.
Blues skipper John Terry commented last week that he feels Cech, who had lost his Stamford Bridge status as No 1 goalkeeper to Thibault Courtois, could be worth an extra 12-15 points to Arsenal next season.
The gap between the two clubs last season was 13 points and former Chelsea midfielder and coach Wilkins feels Arsenal’s acquisition of Cech will enhance their title chances.
“I’m extremely surprised and I thought Chelsea might have offloaded him into Europe somewhere,” Wilkins told Sky Sports News HQ. “He’s been a fantastic servant for the club and the service he’s given the club has been unbelievable.
“I think [Cheslea have] done him a favour. Whether they’ve done themselves a favour is another question because with Petr going to Arsenal it reinforces their ability to be contenders for the Premier League title.
“I’m slightly surprised Chelsea have allowed him to go to another Premier League club.
“He’s a magnificent character – as a bloke he’s first class and we know he’s a magnificent goalkeeper. Since the unfortunate injury he got he’s maybe dropped five per cent but he’s still world class.
“He’s very calm and his concentration levels are 100 per cent. The way Arsenal play, they keep the ball for long periods but when called upon the concentration levels have to be spot on, which they are with him.
“I think Petr will give a great deal to Arsenal and it’s Chelsea’s loss. I’m pleased we’ll get to see him in the Premier League week in, week out now.”
Wilkins feels Arsenal will get eight years of service out of Cech and that, at £10.9m, the transfer represents a bargain for Arsene Wenger.
“It is absolutely a bargain,” he said. “Bearing in mind he never played last year, so in football terms he’s 32, not 33. He’s got eight years left at the top level.
“The final thing with goalkeepers is ‘are you still prepared to get hurt?’ The day you aren’t prepared to be hurt is the day you retire.”
