Petr Cech today sparked speculation he could make a shock return to face Atletico Madrid tomorrow by joining in Chelsea’s last training session this morning.
Injured trio John Terry, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o also joined in the session and look certain to play in the Champions League semi-final second leg but it was Cech’s appearance that caused the most surprise.
The Chelsea goalkeeper was ruled out for the season by manager Jose Mourinho after dislocating his shoulder in the first leg in Spain last week. Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan at Atletico from Chelsea, was also informed the Czech goalkeeper will need an operation and was set to be out for three to four months.
But Cech appeared with the rest of his team-mates on the eve of the second leg and when reporters asked if he was fit, he replied: “Of course.”
However, it looked more like a sign that Mourinho was playing mind games with the La Liga leaders as the 31-year-old’s movement in the drills was limited.
He noticeably did not use his injured right arm during one exercise and went off to do some minor ball handling skills on his own while back-up goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer and Hilario worked with coach Christophe Lollichon.
Schwarzer looks certain to start but it is understood a decision on when Cech will have an operation is still to be made and may be postponed to give the No1 hope of playing in the final on May 24 should Chelsea get there.
Chelsea have still received a boost with captain Terry, who is speaking in the pre-match press conference tonight, plus Hazard and Eto’o making full recoveries.
Terry has made extraordinary progress since limping off during the 0-0 draw in Spain eight days ago with an ankle problem.
Mourinho insisted afterwards the defender may have an outside chance of recovering in time for the final in Lisbon should Chelsea get there. But his ligament strain was not as bad as first feared.
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Hazard has not played for Chelsea since sustaining a hamstring injury during the victory over Paris St Germain three weeks ago.
Eto’o damaged his knee during the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland 10 days ago but is ready to lead Chelsea’s attack.
