Chelsea can defend Champions League title - Petr Cech

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Goalkeeper Petr Cech says Chelsea have the belief to become the first team to defend the Champions League title.

The 30-year-old saved a penalty in extra-time and another in the shoot-out as the Blues beat Bayern Munich to lift the trophy for the first time.

"That was the moment Chelsea joined the best in the world," Cech said.

"We know we can challenge anyone this season and we must try to become the first team to win the Champions League for the second season running."

Despite being crowned champions of Europe, the Blues only finished fifth in the Premier League, their worst domestic performance since 2002.

Belgian forward Eden Hazard and Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin have arrived this summer and the west London club are attempting to complete a deal for Brazilian attacking midfielder Oscar.

While an improved performance in the Premier League is a priority, Cech admitted the Champions League holds a special place in the hearts of those at Stamford Bridge.

"We have won pretty much everything as a club and this was the last trophy we were missing in the cabinet," the Czech international added. "We have put it in there now and it is a huge step forward for the whole club."

Asked about retaining it, he added "It is a massive challenge, no-one has ever done it and we will try to be the first.

"We have had some very good signings come into the club. Everyone wants to join Chelsea and be part of this club again."

Cech's season with Chelsea finished with the Champions League final on 19 May before he played for the Czech Republic in Euro 2012, reaching the quarter-finals where they were beaten by Portugal.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech
Cech is hoisted into the air by his team-mates after May's Champions League win

Cech was signed by then-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri from Rennes for £7m. Seven managers have come and gone in eight years, but despite that Cech has won 10 trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge, playing more games for the club than any other foreign player.

"I have signed another contract for four years and I would like to stay with Chelsea," Cech added. "I feel like part of the club, it is like my second family.

"I have always wanted to play for a club that was full of ambition and that can challenge the biggest teams for the biggest trophies.

"his is definitely the team we have been for the last eight, nine years and it is hard to leave that.

"I still believe the Premier League is the toughest and most challenging league in the world.

"You want to be part of something which puts you on the limits and forces you to play well all the time, every game, no matter who the opposition is."

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260 comments

  • Comment posted by JayMUFC, at 19:29 17 Jul 2012

    As a United Supporter, I hate people who hate on Chelsea because of the way they played & won.At the end of the day,THEY WON.I'd take that regardless.Against Barca,you have to play counter,you have no choice.Possession will never ever be 50-50.Chelsea won fair & square,even with 10.We had to play like that at Wembley against Barca.We got destroyed.Football is about Defence just as much as Attack.

  • Comment posted by camster76, at 21:16 17 Jul 2012

    Perhaps as a neutral (ie don't love or hate Chelsea) I can give the most balanced view. Chelsea won the CL last season on merit. They defeated one of the best sides the world has ever seen (Barcelona) and, with a depleted team, beat Germans on penalties on their own patch. If that doesn't merit respect and appreciation from all football supporters then I don't know what does

  • Comment posted by Sciatika, at 12:48 18 Jul 2012

    Has anyone else noticed that if an article appears on the BBC Football web site that does not mention Liverpool Football Club, their fans start to have serious doubts about their own existence. They immediately start posting comments about themselves simply to reassure themselves that they are still here. It's a bit sad really.

  • Comment posted by wildUtd08, at 19:45 17 Jul 2012

    @desert penguin #26,

    Their luck has only run out once they are out of the competition, at the present time they are on course to defend the title. Opinion does not make anything a fact. I gave Chelsea no chance of winning the CL especially when 3-1 down against Napoli after the 1st leg, but by Jiminy I was proved wrong and that is the great thing about football.

    I will be amazed if they do it.

  • Comment posted by John G, at 09:37 18 Jul 2012

    Glad Chelsea beat the invincible Barcelona in the semi final on the basis they were playing either 4-6-0 formation or 4-5-1 boring the pants off everyone with 5 yard passes with each other and beating a German team in the final never a bad thing - especially on penalties.
    Not sure it will happen this season though.

  • Comment posted by AFC Jimbos Wicked Pun, at 12:55 18 Jul 2012

    Re: 187

    "di Metteo's very basic tactics will be too easily worked out"

    Still laughing at that one. Seriously? Have you even watched Chelsea, West Brom or MK Dons play under RdM?

    Ha ha (really, ha ha).

  • Comment posted by Walks619, at 11:01 18 Jul 2012

    As an Arsenal fan, it was painful watching Chelsea lift the CL trophy last season. Its even more painful to admit that they deserved it too.

    Football is about winning trophies, and Arsenal havent done too much of that recently. Our attacking, beautiful football has bared no fruit, so if negative football wins the CL, I would gladly take that.

    Doubt CFC will repeat their heroics this time.

  • Comment posted by AFC Jimbos Wicked Pun, at 10:45 18 Jul 2012

    On the subject of money:

    PSG, Barca, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, QPR (yes… QPR), Deportivo La Courna, Seattle and Milan all have more money behind them than Chelsea.

    Wimbledon gained 8 promotions in 9 seasons to reach League Two with no money.

    Norwich & Swansea brilliant last season (no money).

    Wealthy teams such as Leicester, Notts County & QPR stuggle.

    It’s not all about money.

  • Comment posted by Mark_Kernow, at 13:57 19 Jul 2012

    I don't care who you support, if your team had beaten Barca, scored 3 & were called defensive, you'd be celebrating like mad. If you had gone to Munich & won, dreamland !

    If Man Utd, Liverpool or Arsenal had beaten Barca, they'd be classed as World Beaters, Chelsea do it & anyone who supports a club in Red slates them. Class !

    The odds on Chelsea retaining the trophy are about 6-1, No Chance ?

  • Comment posted by cyberFC, at 16:42 18 Jul 2012

    For all Chelsea haters, I absolutely love this jealousy! CL is in our cupboard, we are Champions of Europe.
    To add extra joy, you all predicted Chelsea would 1) not get out of group; 2) get destroyed by Napoli; 3) be found out by Benfica; 4) thrashed 5:0 by Barca in London; 5) thrashed 10:0 at Nou Camp; 6) put to our place by Bayern.
    In 12 months, I'll be rereading your posts and having fun again!

  • Comment posted by Neil, at 14:35 18 Jul 2012

    Football definition - game played with ball based on 2 teams competing to kick, butt or propel the ball into anothers goal.
    Don't see anything that states must be played like Barcelona there, so what is anti football? Chelsea 3 - Barca 2 says it all.
    We probably won't win it this year, but it isn't impossible. Let's see how Robbi does for the whole season before you all criticise.

  • Comment posted by cpeskett, at 14:26 18 Jul 2012

    Why is it, whenever it is Chelsea it is bad? Chelsea have players over 30 - Bad. ManU have the same - Not Bad. Chelsea play defensively against Barca - Bad. ManU do the same thing in the 2008 semi and get 20% possession - good. ManU break transfer records - not bad. Chelsea break transfer records - bad. Chelsea benefit from rich owner - bad. ManU benefit from rich owners (Edwards) - good.

  • Comment posted by benja, at 13:38 18 Jul 2012

    How long is it going to take the BBC to realise Chelsea finished 6th and not 5th? #sacktheQA

  • Comment posted by AFC Jimbos Wicked Pun, at 13:19 18 Jul 2012

    "I still think AVB had future with CFC."

    Bang on there, he should have been given more time. CFC remain too trigger happy with managers(why was Ancelotti sacked?) and they need to sort that.

    Comparing RDM and AVB is not possible, two different coaches in different situations. This season will bare all but RdM has so far proved himself very astute and should go far... hope he gets the chance.

  • Comment posted by cyberFC, at 13:11 18 Jul 2012

    @ 202. SE_Yeed
    "Chelsea average 1.72pts per game (25 games), and they averaged 1.615pts per game under Di Matteo (13 games)."

    Last 13 games were tougher fixtures, in between vital stage of CL and FA cup games. Also RDM fielded weak team in last EPL games, e.g. vs Liverpool or Spurs, with CL in mind.
    Trying to be fair on RDM, not blaming AVB. I still think AVB had future with CFC.

  • Comment posted by AFC Jimbos Wicked Pun, at 13:09 18 Jul 2012

    Re 202. Think you've been listening to too much talksport mate. Bare statistics have no regard for mitigating circumstances, of which there were plenty for Chelsea's league form at the end of the season.

  • Comment posted by U15061249, at 12:42 18 Jul 2012

    Actually, Cech saved 2 pens in the shootout & 1 during the game. Also, he won the player of the year for the 10/11 season, Mata won it this year. Honestly, whats the point in including facts if they havent been properly researched. Also, CFC finished the league in such a poor position due to AVB. AVB did his best to get us eliminated from champs league & FA cup. Best thing AVB did was bring in RDM

  • Comment posted by U14191453, at 12:38 18 Jul 2012

    Stand up for your Champions Kurt

  • Comment posted by U3733790, at 12:21 18 Jul 2012

    I don't think people understand the definition of luck. Chelsea were not lucky in either the semi or final. No external force intervened. Barcelona and Bayern Munich failed to kick or head the football in between two posts. The fact they failed to do this is not in any way down to luck. The goals did not move. Object of game=score goals not keep possession.

  • Comment posted by chrisironside, at 12:20 18 Jul 2012

    "can"... but won't.

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