Cech puts Euro glory first

Chelsea goalkeeper dreaming of European glory

By Vasek Kadlec   Last updated: 1st May 2008

Petr Cech Chelsea

Cech: Targeting Champions League glory

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Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted that it would mean more to him this season to win the UEFA Champions League than the Premier League.

The Blues are still challenging in both competitions after beating Liverpool to progress to the final of the Champions League and drawing level with Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

Cech would love to be successful in both but he has already won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and concedes that he craves European glory more.

Asked which was more important, Cech told idnes.cz: "I don't see a difference, but if I take it purely personally, I already have two titles with Chelsea and I have not won the Champions League. So it is clear."

Cech admits he was delighted for Avram Grant after the victory over Liverpool, as the manager has faced criticism since taking over from Jose Mourinho early in the season.

"We did not always have good periods during the league, we were not successful in either the Carling Cup or the FA Cup and journalists put us under fire," said the Czech Republic international.

"Now we are back in the title race in the Premier League and Grant is the first coach to have taken Chelsea into the Champions League final.

"After the match it was obvious how much he was happy."

Three finals

Chelsea face Manchester United in the Moscow showpiece but Cech accepts that the Premier League games against Newcastle and Bolton are just as important.

He said: "I would say that we will play three finals - on Monday at Newcastle, next Sunday against Bolton and then the final with Manchester. I hope we will be successful.

"It has been a long time since Chelsea won at Newcastle, so we will have to break this record.

"We have better memories on Bolton. We decided the title race there (in 2004/5) and got a good result the next year that meant we only had to beat Manchester to win.

"But we need to be wary as Bolton know how to score from nothing and they are still in the relegation battle, so it will be a difficult game."