Petr Cech in Chelsea’s Premier League squad, Mesut Ozil omitted by Arsenal

ByMichael Hincks

Updated 20/10/2020 at 18:30 GMT

The Premier League have announced the confirmed squads for the 2020-21 season and there was a shock on the Chelsea list when former goalkeeper and current technical and performance advisor Petr Cech featured in the Blues’ squad along with Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero.

Petr Cech was a surprise name in Chelsea’s Premier League squad for the 2020-21 season.

The Premier League’s confirmed list of players registered by the 20 top-flight clubs for this season features Cech in Chelsea’s squad.

Though many felt it was perhaps an error, the move was confirmed - per the Telegraph's Matt Law - by Chelsea:

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Petr Cech has been included in the squad as emergency goalkeeper cover. This is a precautionary step due to the unprecedented conditions currently caused by the Covid-19 crisis. He takes up a position as a non-contract player.

The goalkeeper retired in 2019, having spent four seasons with Arsenal after 11 years with Chelsea saw the Czech win four Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, a Champions League and also a Europa League.

The 38-year-old is currently a technical and performance advisor for Chelsea, and was instrumental in bringing Edouard Mendy over from Rennes this summer.

Petr Cech with Edouard Mendy at Chelsea

Image credit: Getty Images

Now he joins Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero in the 21-man Premier League squad listed on the Premier League website.

Cech the clean sheet king

Cech is the Premier League record holder when it comes to clean sheets, with 202 to his name - making him the only goalkeeper in the competition's history to surpass 200. David James is second with 169 and Mark Schwarzer third with 151.

Since his Chelsea debut in 2004, Cech went on to make 443 Premier League appearances - only James (572), Schwarzer (514), Shay Given (451) and Brad Friedel (450) have made more as goalkeepers in the top tier since 1992.

Ozil out of Arsenal squad

Meanwhile, Arsenal have not included Mesut Ozil in their list - perhaps no surprise given the midfielder has been frozen out by Mikel Arteta.

The 32-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season, and has not played for Arsenal since March.

The German looks to have played his last match for the Gunners, although reports suggested they are not looking to terminate his contract early despite the fact he is on £350,000-a-week.

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