PETR CECH
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 first choice.
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.
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.
Frighteningly for the opposition, he has well over a decade ahead to further improve!
