10 players with the most to prove
By James Dudko
6. Petr Cech, Arsenal
For a goalkeeper who has won it all during a glittering career, Petr Cech has an awful lot to prove entering his 15th season in England. Primarily, Cech must concern himself with a new arrival at Arsenal, in the form of Bernd Leno, a player signed to take his job.
Former Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Leno cost the Gunners £22 million. They paid it so the German stopper could compete for the No.1 spot.
To his credit, Cech hasn’t buckled. In fact, he’s been sounding like a keeper determined not to give up his position without a fight.
The 36-year-old told Sky Sports News (h/t Harry Howes of the Daily Star): “I want to show the manager I can be the starting goalkeeper and all the players do the same and I think it’s great for the team.”
He may be resolute, but the fact Arsenal signed Leno at all should tell Cech there’s a problem. It’s something he probably already knows after enduring a torrid, error-strewn campaign last season.
The question shouldn’t be can Cech fend off Leno? It should be is Cech still good enough to start for a top-six Premier League team?