22 March 2023 , 17:39
843
0
Four years after announcing his retirement from football, having won a total of 14 major honours during stints at Chelsea and Arsenal, Petr Cech is looking to add another trophy to his collection.
During his football career, Cech lifted four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, a Europa League and a Champions League and is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League.
Just over four months after playing his final game, a 2-1 defeat to former club Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League final, Cech switched sports and joined ice hockey side Guildford Phoenix as a goaltender.
Last year, Cech moved to Chelmsford Chieftans and the 40-year-old is hoping to help them win the National League Division One South Cup. The Chieftans are set to face Invicta Dynamos in a two-legged final and Cech has been named in the squad.
And club captain Callum Burnett has spoken of the positive impact Cech has had on his teammates, telling BBC Essex: "He's brought an element of calmness and has joined in with the group well.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
"In his last few games, he's been really impressive so we're happy to have him in there, and we trust him. He's a really interesting guy to be around.
Cech won four Premier League titles with Chelsea (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)"He's not awkward around the guys. We have a laugh and a joke and it's an honour to have someone that prestigious on the team.
"We understand where he's been and his past, but he understands this is a different sport, this is our game and it's very different to football. He gives us words of wisdom and we all appreciate them.
"Nine times out of 10 he's pretty nail-on-the-head. He does his job and we appreciate him being around because he's helped us a lot."