Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has dismissed reports he has already agreed to return to former club Chelsea and insists he is only focused on winning the Europa League with the Gunners.
Rumours emerged on Tuesday evening that the retiring Cech would take up a newly created sporting director position at Stamford Bridge this summer.
That caused outrage among Arsenal fans, with Cech set to start in goal against his prospective new employers in a week’s time in Baku, but the 37-year-old has allayed those fears.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: ‘Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before, I’ll make a decision about my future after the last game.
‘Now my sole focus is to win the Europa League with Arsenal.’
Cech has been the designated Cup goalkeeper even since summer signing Bernd Leno claimed the No.1 jersey, with the veteran Czech started every Europa League knockout game.
He had been expected to retain his place in the final despite the significance of the match in what would be his last ever appearance before he hangs up his gloves for good.
Despite the news today as I had already said to everybody before , I’ll make decision about my future after the last game . Now my sole focus is to win the EL with @Arsenal .
— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) May 21, 2019
The exact nature of the role Cech has been offered is not yet known, but Chelsea are believed to want to bring back many of the legendary players who played such an important role in the most successful era of the club’s history.
Cech could be involved with deciding transfer targets – the club never replaced Michael Emenalo when he moved to Monaco – as well as acting as a go-between for the manager, players and board.
He won four Premier League titles with Chelsea, as well as the Champions League, before moving to Arsenal, where he initially excelled but has played understudy to Leno this season, though still kept six clean sheets in 10 European outings.
