Chelsea registers retired Petr Cech as 'emergency' keeper

Updated Oct. 20, 2020 3:43 p.m. ET

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea has registered its technical director, Petr Cech, in its Premier League squad despite the former goalkeeping great retiring more than a year ago.

The club said Tuesday the 38-year-old Cech was included on the list as “emergency goalkeeper cover.”

“This is a precautionary step due to the unprecedented conditions currently caused by the COVID-19 crisis,” Chelsea said. “He takes up a position as a non-contract player.”

Recent signing Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero and Jamie Cumming are all ahead of Cech in the goalkeeper pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

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Cech made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea from 2004-15, before spending another four years with Arsenal. He retired in the summer of 2019 and stepped straight into a board role at Chelsea when Frank Lampard was hired as manager.

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