Petr Cech
One of the 2006/7 season's most remarkable stories saw Petr turn big doubts over the future of his career into no doubts over his position as the world's best goalkeeper.
 
Showing the dedication and strong mind that had taken the Czech international to the top of his profession, Cech overcame a serious head injury suffered in action to return just three months later.

Within weeks he had recorded a seven-game run for club and country without conceding a goal, all while sporting skull protection. He was frequently outstanding for the rest of the season, not least in repelling a bullish Blackburn side in the FA Cup semi-final.
 
A new arrival in the summer of 2004 who at £7 million cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr was bought to boost that department of the squad and provide serious and healthy competition to Carlo Cudicini.

He immediately caught the eye with his height, incredible reaction speed and confidence in leaving his goal-line and began his Chelsea career as Jose Mourinho's first choice. He had to be good to keep Cudicini out!
 
A precocious talent, Petr built his reputation at Sparta Prague where at the age of 19 he broke the national record for the longest spell without conceding a goal.
 
Equally hard to beat in the Champions League, over 1,000 minutes in all competitions passed without a goal.

That earned a move to Rennes in France where midway through his second season he agreed to join Chelsea for the next campaign on a five-year contract.
 
At Under 21 international level he was a major factor in the crowning of the Czech Republic as 2002 European Champions while at senior level, Euro 2004 brought five clean sheets, a semi-final and a place in UEFA's all-star squad of the tournament.
 
A clean-sheet laden first season at Stamford Bridge was statistically the most accomplished by any Chelsea keeper.

A run of 1,024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March set a new English top flight record.
 
By the end of that season he had his first championship medal plus records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top flight season.
 
It was recognised with the award of the Barclays Golden Gloves for 2004/5.

Though the 2005/6 version of the Chelsea defence was never quite as watertight as the season before, Petr continued to excel and was a major contributor to the capture of a consecutive Premiership title.
 
It was all the more admirable for the fact that he had been playing for 14 months in pain from a shoulder injury.
 
With the other shoulder also damaged during the season, Petr went under the knife as soon as the Czech Republic's low-key 2006 World Cup ended.

He missed the opening games of the 2006/7 title defence but returned in August in full working order once more.
 
However, a dreadful collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October 2006 left Petr with a fractured skull and requiring immediate surgery, 30 stitches and much rest. That his season would resume so soon and end so well with two cup final wins, no-one would have predicted at the time.
 

DETAILS
Position: Goalkeeper
Nationality: Czech
DOB: 20/05/1982
Height: 196cm
Weight: 90Kg
Clubs: Chelsea, Rennes, Sparta Prague

STATS
Chelsea
     League
     Appearances: 101 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 2
     Red cards: 0

FA Cup
     Appearances: 6 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 1
     Red cards: 0

     League Cup
     Appearances: 4 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 0
     Red cards: 0

Euro Cups
     Appearances: 30 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 1
     Red cards: 0

Rennes
     League
     Appearances: 70 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 1
     Red cards: 0

Sparta Prague
     Euro Cups
     Appearances: 12 (0 as sub)
     Goals: 0
     Yellow cards: 0
     Red cards: 0