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Cech spent 11 successful years at Chelsea, winning an impressive four Premier League titles and recording the most clean sheets in the division's history. He also received the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in a record four separate seasons.
The Premier League Hall of Fame has welcomed another iconic footballer to its ranks with the inclusion of former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The Czech Republic international, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest keepers of all time, received the accolade in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the English top flight.
Cech's inclusion in the Hall of Fame was determined by a public vote and the Premier League Awards Panel. He was chosen alongside former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Arsenal's Tony Adam.
Cech spent 11 successful years at Chelsea, winning an impressive four Premier League titles and recording the most clean sheets in the division's history. He also received the Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in a record four separate seasons.
The goalkeeper accumulated 202 clean sheets in the Premier League, 163 of which were for Chelsea. His record of 24 shut-outs in his debut Premier League campaign remains unmatched.
He became a Premier League Champion four times with Chelsea, helping the Blues to back-to-back titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06 in his first seasons in English football. Two further titles followed in 2009/10 and 2014/15 as Chelsea dethroned Manchester United and then Manchester City.
In his debut campaign, the team conceded only 15 goals, with Cech keeping 24 clean sheets in 35 appearances, both records for a single season.
Upon receiving the award, Cech said, "When I was a child growing up in communist Czechoslovakia, playing in the Premier League was an unimaginable dream."
"When I look back to where I started, diving on rock solid pitches with stones like golf balls, it has been an amazing journey."
He added, "I hope to be known as someone who showed effort, commitment, and consistency. Making a great save feels the same as scoring a goal."
"I’m proud of my clean sheet record, but I was even more happy when those clean sheets won matches and points for the team and contributed to titles!"
Cech's talent and contributions were evident from the beginning of his Chelsea career, as he made his debut on the opening day of the 2004/2005 campaign in a 1-0 win over Manchester United.
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His quality was immediately apparent, commanding his box with authority, showcasing his lightning reactions on numerous occasions, and maintaining phenomenally high levels of consistency.
The goalkeeper's success at Chelsea was not without its challenges, including a fractured skull sustained during a match in the 2006/2007 season.
However, Cech overcame this setback and returned after three months, going on to play a starring role in many more memorable matches in league and cup.
Cech is now the third Chelsea player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of former teammates Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
The Hall of Fame was created in 2021 to recognize the greatest names to have graced the English top flight since it became the Premier League in 1992, with the league considering it the highest honor they can bestow.
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