Petr Cech impressed by Albion's trust in youngsters

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Champions League winner visited the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre.

Charlie Hanson

2023-01-10T06:00:00Z

Petr Cech made 494 appearances for Chelsea.

Albion’s goalkeepers were given the chance to put their questions to former Chelsea and Arsenal keeper Petr Cech, who is delighted to see that our young keepers are getting their chance with the first team or out on loan.

Robert Sanchez has come through the youth ranks to become our first choice goalkeeper, while fellow academy graduate Tom McGill is our third choice stopper.

The likes of Carl Rushworth and Fynn Talley have been out on loan as well this season as the club looks to give them the platform to build on.

Carl Rushworth is on a season-long loan with Lincoln City.

“You don’t always find a club who gives young goalkeepers a chance, but if you look back over the last 15-20 years all the top goalkeepers who have had a great career have started young,” Cech explained. “They are lucky that their coaches were willing to give them the opportunity, even the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Robin Van Der Sar.

“I was lucky that my coach gave me an opportunity in the top league in the Czech Republic when I was 17. Not everyone had that courage, so it’s nice that when the goalkeeper here has the potential and they are given the opportunity.”

The former Czech Republic international and four-time Premier League winner visited the training ground as a guest of men’s under-21s keeper coach Sal Bibbo, who worked with Petr during their time at Arsenal.

Sal Bibbo worked with Petr Cech at Arsenal.

“Sal wanted me to come and share my mental preparation and the obstacles that you have as a goalkeeper growing up and going through the youth system.

“We had a good discussion about the things you might encounter. I was fortunate to have won a few things during my career, so it was nice to be able to speak about those experiences with the boys. I answered a few of the questions they had.

“It's nice to pass on the experience because there are a lot of players who go through similar moments in their career where, having the opportunity to speak to someone who has been through it before, you can offer good guidance and reassure them it’s normal to feel how they do.

“They might take inspiration from how other people deal with it. It’s great as a goalkeeper who played in the Premier League for 15 years to be able to leave a mark.

The Czech Republic international finished his playing career at Arsenal in 2019.

“When Rob and the other goalkeepers were growing up they probably saw games I was involved in and thought ‘it’s not bad what he’s doing’!”

The 40-year-old reckons that a goalkeeper can feel isolated at times and there can be situations where a stopper can be thrown into the spotlight.

“It’s almost like an individual sport within the collective, the role of the goalkeeper is unique and so is the pressure. You are the last line of the defence, if you make a mistake the ball ends up in the back of the net and there’s not many people who can bail you out. But if a midfielder loses the ball then they’ve still got cover.

“That is a bit of an extra pressure but, at the same time, the goalkeeper has to have the character to enjoy this challenge and actually take pleasure from the save. If you don’t then being a goalkeeper isn’t for you!”

Sanchez has impressed Cech, who made his Albion Premier League debut in November 2020.

“I like his positivity, the way he takes advanced positions, how he likes to use his frame and physicality to come for crosses. That is something that I would see as a strength, and because of his bravery he can cover more space when there is a through ball to deal with.”