Jose Mourinho supported decision to sell Petr Cech... but Chelsea boss reveals he always wanted goalkeeper to remain at club
- Petr Cech signed for Arsenal from Chelsea earlier this week in £10m deal
- Blues boss Jose Mourinho admitted he supported decision to sell keeper
- Mourinho, however, revealed he always wanted Cech to stay at the club
- Cech could make debut for Gunners against Chelsea in Community Shield
Jose Mourinho says he supports Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's decision to sell Petr Cech to rivals Arsenal.
Cech spent 10 years as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper but completed a move across the capital on Monday after falling behind Thibaut Courtois in Mourinho's selection.
The Portuguese would have preferred Cech to stay, rather than strengthen a rival, but respected Abramovich's decision to allow a distinguished servant to choose his next destination and Cech chose to remain in London.
Petr Cech spent 10 years as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper but completed a move to Arsenal on Monday
Jose Mourinho says he supports Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's decision to sell Cech to their rivals
'I support the owner's decision to honour the player in this way,' Mourinho said on chelseafc.com.
'Petr has been a great servant for Chelsea for 11 years and helped this club to win almost everything there is to win.
'I always said I wanted him to stay but I understand Petr needed to move on to play first team football every week.
'Sometimes you have to respect the wishes of someone who has earned so much respect with his service and actions for your club.
Former Real Madrid boss Mourinho led the Blues to their first Premier League title in five years last season
Mourinho, pictured at the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, also hailed his former goalkeeper
'It is very rare in football to make a decision like this and for that reason I am proud of my club for making it.
'There are not many clubs in the world big enough to be able to make that decision.
'Petr's success at this club will always to be remembered and we thank him for everything he did.'
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