adminLONDON. — Petr Cech’s £11 million move to Arsenal will prove to be a bargain, according to Ray Wilkins. Cech won’t finalise his move to Arsenal until next week.
The Gunners have agreed an £11 million fee with Chelsea for the goalkeeper, but the deal can’t be completed until Cech completes a medical.
The 33-year-old, who has already agreed on personal terms with Arsenal, is expected to have the medical on Monday or Tuesday next week.
And Wilkins — who yesterday confirmed he would be joining Aston Villa as assistant manager — believes Cech could have as many as eight years left as a top-class keeper.
He told Sky Sports News: “It is absolutely a bargain.
“Bearing in mind he never played last year, so in football terms he’s 32, not 33. He’s got eight years left at the top level.
“The final thing with goalkeepers is ‘are you still prepared to get hurt?’ The day you aren’t prepared to be hurt is the day you retire.”
And the former Chelsea ace admits he was shocked to see Cech allowed to join an English Premier League rival.
He added: “I’m extremely surprised and I thought Chelsea might have offloaded him into Europe somewhere.
“He’s been a fantastic servant for the club and the service he’s given the club has been unbelievable.
“I think Chelsea have done him a favour. Whether they’ve done themselves a favour is another question because with Petr going to Arsenal, it reinforces their ability to be contenders for the Premier League title.
“I’m slightly surprised Chelsea have allowed him to go to another Premier League club.” — The Daily Express.
Online Reporter