Cech steps aside - for one night only

CHELSEA’S Petr Cech is determined to remain the club’s number one goalkeeper even though he will step aside for rival Carlo Cudicini in tonight’s Champions League Group H encounter with Paris Saint Germain.

Cech was at fault for the first of Bolton’s goals at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as the Londoners conceded two for the first time this season.

The Czech Republic international failed to deal with Gary Speed’s free-kick and his error allowed Kevin Davies head Bolton back into the game.

Manager Jose Mourinho refused to criticise Cech for the mistake and revealed that Cudicini would play against the Parisians - a decision he made after their last victory against CSKA Moscow. The Chelsea manager also insisted that Cech would be back for the Premiership trip to Charlton on Saturday.

He has kept 13 clean sheet so far this season and his impressive displays have earned him many plaudits, but while Mourinho’s faith in Cech is admirable, the player knows he must keep on top form if he is to stop Cudicini from taking his place.

“At the moment I am playing well and I can expect to continue,” he said.

“But I know that Carlo has a lot of quality and he is waiting behind me. For this reason I have to perform really well to keep my place.”

Mourinho has played down suggestions that his side can win a quartet of trophies this season. But it has been a measure of the players’ confidence that some, including skipper John Terry, reckon they can win the lot.

Chelsea are certainly on course for that. They are currently top of the Premiership by two points, in the next phase of the Champions League and in the last eight of the Carling Cup, with an FA Cup campaign still to come.

Cech, 22, who joined the Blues from Rennes in the summer, is used to the pressure. He made his international debut at the age of 20 and once went 855 minutes - nearly ten games - without conceding a goal when playing for Sparta Prague.

Mourinho has also toyed with his rotation policy in recent games - a system that will affect Cech tonight. But such is the belief of Mourinho’s men that even Cech says the desire is there to try and win everything they can this season - rounding the campaign off with the title in their centenary year.

Cech added: “We have a great squad and I think we can achieve a lot of things this season. We want to try and win everything. Next year is Chelsea’s 100th, so it would be very nice to celebrate that with the title.”

As well as resting Cech, Mourinho could recall striker Didier Drogba tonight. He has been out since early October because of a groin injury and is likely to be on the bench.

Alexei Smertin will be recalled after being rested against Bolton and John Terry will also be given him time to recover from a slight neck problem.