Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted for the first time that the decision is "not in my hands" as he gave a huge hint that Chelsea will be willing to sell their legendary goalkeeper to one of their bitter rivals.

Petr Cech, who has played second fiddle to newly signed Thibaut Courtois from Atlético Madrid during Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign, and despite playing six times in the league, six times in the domestic cup tournaments and three times in the Champions League, it still does not feel enough when comparing his Belgian team-mate's 34 in all competitions, despite being 22.

The 32-year-old Czech is now tipped to continue his career elsewhere, with rivals Manchester United and Arsenal reportedly interested in bringing the Champions League winning goalkeeper and four time Premier League and FA Cup winner, out of the 15 he won in West London.

"I hope not," replied Mourinho when asked on talkSPORT whether Cech will definitely leave at the end of the season. "My perfect scenario is that he stays with us. He belongs with this club, and this club belongs to his history and his life. He's a fantastic goalkeeper, a fantastic squad man in the dressing room. I tried to prove the respect I have for him my playing him in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup final. I played him in the Champions League. I gave him matches in the Premier League.

I tried to make him feel important, as he is, but I can imagine at 32 or 33, he still feels young and has the passion and desire to play every game. If it's in my hands, he would never go. He would never go to big clubs and fantastic teams, big candidates who want to win the Premier League. I would never let him go, but it's not in my hands."

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About the author
Roberto Rojas
Writing about the beautiful game. Cohost of the @LowLimitFutbol Podcast.