Opinion: It should be David Ospina not Petr Cech

David Ospina

There is news circulating that Petr Cech is being considered for a return to Chelsea.

The rumours follow reports that Real Madrid are closing in on a deal for Belgian shotstopper, Thibaut Courtois; leaving the Blues light in the goalkeeping department.

Arsenal are thought to be considering accepting an offer, but that would be a dangerous move. If there is one goalkeeper we should get rid of, it is David Ospina, who has never quite done enough to convince us of his abilities. While he is an international stopper – who had a mixed World Cup with Colombia – it is time to let him go.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Boca Juniors and given that Matt Macey might not yet be good enough to be second-choice, we should only sell one goalkeeper; that ought to be the South American.

The arrival of Bernd Leno, who is coming from the German Bundesliga means that Cech or Ospina would go further down the pecking order. Leno is tipped to be the new first choice at the club but the Premier League could be very unforgiving for goalkeepers coming from foreign countries.

The time it takes to adapt to the intensity and physicality of the division means that an older, more experienced goalie is needed to help the former Bayer Leverkusen man settle down quickly. Cech performed the role at Chelsea when Courtois arrived, helping the younger man make the transition from La Liga to the Premier League easier.

Cech is a player that Leno can aspire to be as he has won everything in the world of club football. While he may not be at the peak of his powers anymore, Cech will still add quality anytime he is called upon.

Although Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner’s arrivals give us a little more experience and leadership, Unai Emery still needs somebody in his dressing room who has seen it and done that; Cech fits that bill and for a season he could make a big contribution.

Following Arsene Wenger’s exit last season, Arsenal need a season that will promise optimism. Selling a player that is the most successful in the team won’t portray that the club know what they are doing. Ospina is dispensable, but Cech may be too important to be let go.