Could Petr Cech Injury Thwart Chelsea FC Champions League Dream?

Petr Cech is expected to miss Chelsea’s return Champions League fixture with Inter Milan, striking a devastating blow to the London club’s Champions League ambitions.

The 27 year old Chelsea star fell after taking a cross during the 2-1 Champions League defeat in Milan on Wednesday, and has now been ruled out for three to four weeks with a torn calf muscle, meaning it is almost certain he will miss the return leg with Inter as well as some crucial Premier League fixtures.

Surely excruciating news to fans of the English Premier League leaders, who were hoping this year was the year that Champions League glory would finally be delivered for Chelsea.

It was initially feared Cech would be out for the entire season with a much more serious knee injury, but scans have revealed the damage was done to his calf and he is now expected to miss a month of the campaign.

It is not only a blow to Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions but also their title hopes in England to lose the keeper once regarded as the best in the world, just as he seemed on the verge of returning to some of his best form.

Petr Cech is certainly among the key players that Chelsea have right now who can turn a game in their favour.

Cech was nominated for UEFA’s Club Footballer of the Year awards competing only with Victor Valdes from Barcelona FC and Edwin van der Sar from Manchester United to collect the trophy for best goalkeeper of the Champions League 2008/09.

Cech is also ruled out of the Czech Republic national team squad for next week’s friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park.

For many years Cech was regarded as the best goalie in the world, a multi award winner, including voted best goalkeeper of the Champions League 2005, 2007 and 2008 seasons; and Premier League record holder for the number of clean sheets during a single season (24); and for the number of minutes played without conceding a goal (1025).

Among his many other accolades Cech was also voted Czech Football Player of the Year in 2005 and 2008.

While still highly rated that position as the acclaimed best was unsettled of course following a serious collision with Reading’s
Stephen Hunt in October 2006 which left the Chelsea keeper with a damaged skull, and requiring immediate surgery.

Cech overcame a fractured skull to return just three months later, wearing his now famous protective head gear and his successful career at Chelsea was soon re-established with two cup final wins that season. Already a firm favourite amongst football fans in England from all clubs, both North and South, the remarkable way he fought back to achieve great form has led him to be even more admired.

In a season this year where many of the big clubs in Europe and England are struggling to maintain their best form; and with Cech starting to look near to his very best form again; only time will tell what the significance of this latest injury will be to the much loved Chelsea and Czech Republic International goalkeeper.