Current Affairs Čech named top Czech footballer for 2008

Petr Čech, photo: CTK Even so, not all agree he was the best pick. A little earlier I spoke to Karel Haring, who writes for Deník Sport. He told me that while he thought Petr Čech was still very good, 2008 was not his best year.

“I would have preferred if Pavel Nevěd had won this competition: it would have been a fitting and symbolic end to his amazing, amazing career. I think what may have worked to his disadvantage was that he is not as closely watched by the media. In the Czech Republic you see more of Petr Čech because of Premier League broadcasts and also because of Champions League games. I think that is one of the key factors.”

2008, Petr Čech would be the first to acknowledge, was not without rough edges: on Monday he himself referred to the ball he mishandled at Euro 2008, which led to the Czech Republic being beaten by Turkey and ousted from the tournament. On the other hand, the same year the goalkeeper came close to winning the Champions League – the most prestigious European club competition. Chelsea lost the game to Manchester on penalties. Karel Haring again:

“Petr had a lot of very of good games last year, one of them was the Champions League game. But if you compare that match and the one against Turkey, I think it’s quite symbolic of last season. Some were great, others not as good, with mistakes.”

Even with ups-and-downs, Petr Čech remains one of football’s top goalkeepers; he may only have lost a bit of his previous lustre, even the English press has suggested. On the other hand, his side Chelsea are only four points behind Premier League leaders Manchester and in the Czech Republic, he is still a most-deserving No. 1. That isn’t likely to change. Soon all eyes will be on him again: the country faces Slovenia and neighbouring Slovakia in two key World Cup qualifiers. The first is scheduled for this weekend.