Petr Cech FINALLY explains why he left Chelsea for Arsenal

Petr Cech has lifted the lid on his decision to leave Chelsea after being the club’s No1 for a decade.

Cech signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2015, not before winning his fourth league title.

The decision to join a rival was hard, says Cech, but he knew he had given everything for the Chelsea cause, from beginning to end, and so supporters would understand his desire to stay in the Premier League and not uproot his family.

He told the club website: “I was not happy at all. I could see in pre-season how hard I was working.

“There was nothing suggesting I wouldn’t be ready to keep my spot.

“But in a football team you can only have one goalkeeper playing every week, and unfortunately that was the way it went.

“Thibaut [Courtois] was regarded as the future of the club with all his potential and quality.

“I understood the choice was made, even if I didn’t think it was my time.

“Leaving Chelsea was the hardest decision I had to make.

“Having played for this club for such a long time, and becoming a big part of the history of the club, I always thought I was going to finish my career at Chelsea, or maybe leave for the last couple of years.

“At that moment I didn’t feel like it was like the last couple of years. That was not what I pictured in my head. But it was clear my journey had come to an end, and I decided I was going to go and try something else.”

Inter Milan legend identifies reason Romelu Lukaku didn’t perform at Manchester United

Ivan Cordoba has pinpointed the fact that Manchester United ‘did not understand’ Romelu Lukaku’s potential as the reason for his inability to impress at the Old Trafford club.

The Nerazzurri legend spoke to the Sportsmail about the strong impression that players like Lukaku and Ashley Young are making at San Siro.

“Lukaku is an extraordinary player. Manchester United did not understand the player’s potential and his last season was bad for him. In my opinion Lukaku is proving everyone to be a champion,” said Cordoba as cited by Football Italia.

“He is determined and the Premier League has improved him a lot. I met him: he is a positive leader in the changing rooms. It’s a shame that Manchester United sold him, but I’m happy that Inter bought him. Antonio Conte has been fundamental to his form at Inter.

“Eriksen and Young are excellent players and will give determination and strength to Inter. I am happy that they chose Inter.”

Ex-Chelsea boss Hiddink opens old wound, says 2009 UCL semi-final defeat to Barcelona “could’ve been FIXED”

Guus Hiddink has opened up old wounds by saying he believed Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2009 could have been fixed.

The Blues were denied a place in the final after the official Tom Henning Ovrebo made a series of blunders.

Hiddink, who was interim boss at the time, branded the officialdom as: “The worst refereeing I have ever seen.”

He told Ziggo Sport: “The referee performance surprised me, because in the past he’d had perfect performances. Is it the worst refereeing I’ve ever seen? I think so.”

The Dutchman alleged: “This is the only time I thought a match could’ve been fixed, possibly because UEFA didn’t want a repeat of last year’s final.”

Photo Credit: Skysports

Christian Pulisic thanks Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has thanked Jurgen Klopp for giving him his big break at Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking to the 13&MEpodcast, he recalled the moment he received a text telling him he was training with the first team.

He said: “I’m getting ready, going to training and it’s just unreal I was 16 or 17 and Im going in the warm-up and there’s huge names at the time.

“There’s Aubameyang, Marco Reus, Matts Hummels, Mkhitaryan. All these guys and they were just in the Champions League final the year before.

“It’s like I’m going and I’m just this 16-year-old kid. I was thinking just do my best.

“I was just so excited and I’m just thankful to Jurgen Klopp that he gave me that opportunity, I’ll take with me forever and I’m really grateful.”

REVEALED: Reasons Napoli hotshot Dries Mertens is keen to join Chelsea in summer

Reports in Italy have revealed the two reasons Chelsea transfer target Dries Mertens is leaning towards signing for the Blues at the end of the season.

Mertens’ contract at Napoli will expire at the end of the current season, and he appears set to snub the extension offered by the club.

The Daily Express report that Mertens is keen to sign for Chelsea in the summer, six months after being denied the chance to sign for them in January.

The Blues were keen on making him Frank Lampard’s first permanent signing in January, and reportedly had a bid rejected for him.

The 33-year-old was apparently keen on staying at the Stadio San Paolo until at least the end of the season, but has now changed his mind on his future.

Instead, he is reportedly closing in on a free transfer to Chelsea, and has chosen them over other suitors for two reasons.

The first of those reasons, claims Corriere Dello Sport, is the lure of playing in a new league for the first time since 2013.

He signed for Napoli in 2013 and has since gone on to become the club’s joint-top goalscorer with Marek Hamsik.

Mertens has reportedly garnered interest from Inter and AC Milan, but doesn’t want to play in Serie A for anyone other than Napoli.

And playing in the Premier League is attractive to him, though the money Chelsea won’t sway his decision.

The other reason behind Mertens’ thinking is the admiration he has for Lampard.

The report claims the Blues boss is considered a “legend” and represents “a consistent appeal” to Mertens.

However, Napoli are still hopeful that he will decide to sign an extension and stay despite the interest from Chelsea.

Ajax chief warns Chelsea over goalkeeper Andre Onana

Former Ajax goalkeeper and current chief executive Edwin van der Sar has sent a clear message to teams, including Chelsea, that wish to secure cut-rate deals for their players.

Although Ajax have already banked a significant fee from the sale of Hakim Ziyech they are expected to sell more players during the next transfer window.

One player that could end up at Stamford Bridge is Andre Onana.

Frank Lampard is believed to have lost patience with club-record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, and believes Onana would be the perfect replacement.

Van der Sar has revealed that several first-team players will leave this summer, after agreeing to delay their departure last summer, report football.london.

Included in that list is Onana, but the former shot-stopper was quick to shut-down claims that a discount will be applied in the wake of the uncertain times.

“In January last year, people said we were going to lose seven or eight players but we lost only two key members,” Van der Sar told Reuters, via the Metro.

“The big clubs such as Bayern Munich have said the benchmark fee will go down in the next few transfer windows. But it’s easier for them to say because they are the buyers. Of course, the 150 million-200 million euros transfers are gone. But I think there is still a lot of value for players who come from Ajax. Well educated, experienced in winning and playing European football.”

“Last year, we made verbal agreements with Onana, Tagliafico, Van de Beek to stay another season and then we look to help each other and find the next step in their careers. Nothing has changed. There won’t be a 50% discount. The clubs can forget about that.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @ AFCAjax_EN