Former Chelsea goalkeeper Kevin Hitchcock has compared one player in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad to a Blues legend.
Hitchcock is now a coach at New England Revolution so got the chance to work with Djordje Petrovic before his move to Chelsea last summer.
And the 61-year-old has now told The Telegraph that the Serbian reminds him of Petr Cech.
Cech was a phenomenon for the Blues during his time at Stamford Bridge. He was part of a defence that conceded just 15 goals in the 2004/05 Premier League season and helped the club to win many major honours, including four titles.
Petrovic will now be hoping to win his first trophy as a Chelsea player when his side take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this Sunday.
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Djordje Petrovic reminds Kevin Hitchcock of Petr Cech
Hitchcock can see a bit of Cech in Petrovic.
Discussing his former club ahead of this weekend’s League Cup final, the New England Revolution coach said: “They’ve been crying out for a solid, solid number one. Before Petr was Carlo Cudicini. They’re big gloves to fill and I don’t think Chelsea have done very well in that department for the last six or seven years.
“Djordje does remind me of Petr, actually. Petr was a fantastic goalkeeper and he won a lot of games for Chelsea. Without a shadow of a doubt, Djordje can be a really top goalkeeper for a long time as well.”
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Can Djordje Petrovic become Chelsea’s long-term No.1?
Petrovic was bought to be a back-up goalkeeper and has only come into the team because of an injury to Robert Sanchez.
However, the 24-year-old has really not disappointed Pochettino.
Petrovic’s shot-stopping has been pretty impressive. For Pochettino, the Serbia international has been “fantastic” between the sticks for the Blues.
Petrovic deserves to start the final on Sunday and if he has a good game in that, it could solidify his place in the side for the rest of the season.
And going forward, if the former New England Revolution player can maintain this form, then there is no reason why he cannot be Chelsea’s permanent No.1.
