Chelsea can defend Champions League title - Petr Cech
Last updated on .From the section Football
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.

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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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.
Not sure it will happen this season though.
"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).
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.
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.
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 ?
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!
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.
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.
"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.