Physical - Cech Crosses - Cech Consistency - Cech Organisation - Carlo Shot stopper - Carlo Agility - Carlo Distribution - Carlo Carlo by a whisker!
Carlo is BLUE, through and through, and an amazing keeper. Cech has had a great season so far, so for me? Total toss up.
Just out of curiosity, what do you think would possess a manager to replace a goalie who has won 10 of 14 matches and conceded only 6 goals? The only loss (to Manchester City) was a match that could have gone either way. If you blame Cech for the loss, guess again. Oh, I know. The clanker in the Bolton game. One goal, one point instead of three. Sorry, not enough. Mourinho has already gone on record stating that Cech will start against Charlton.
The concern is not, which is the better keeper. The concern is that Carlo may not want to spend the remaining years of his career (and he surely has 3 or 4 left in him) on the Chelsea bench. We're blessed, with these 2, in two of the finest and most consistent goalkeepers in the League. Given may be a smart stopper but is certainly no superior to Carlo. Howard, ditto, although his occasional tactical disasters simply count him out of the top rank. Plus his hanging lip makes him look like a Neanderthal. Niemi has quality, Lehmann can stop, but the former plays for a substandard team and the latter's howlers have been well documented. IF we are to allow Carlo to leave, and I've heard rumours at the club that it's possible, we MUST not let him go to a title rival. As to which I'd choose, well... I'd have to say Carlo but then again I'm a loyalist. The man has been brilliant for us for 3 years. Cech is 22 and has plenty of time on his hands (if you'll pardon the mediocre pun).
The Carlo of two seasons ago would be a match for Cech this season, but unfortunately Carlo couldn't sustain that form last year - too many blunders in big games. I don't think we can afford to sell him before the summer though, even if he really wants to leave.
I agree that this is a total toss up. You can't really go wrong with either. They are both amazing goalkeepers. I don't think it's the strengths you have to look at but rather the weaknesses. I really think Carlo struggles on balls crossed in from the sides (it's not a high ball problem it's an angular problem). I think Cech handles those much better (1 obvious blunder aside). It's really a can't miss situation except that we might lose one. My heart goes with Carlo because of what he's meant to us over the past few years but my brain says you go with Cech because he is young and has the potential to be our keeper for the next decade and beyond.
I really do like Carlo, but you simply can't leave out a keeper who's playing so well. I'm very happy to have two great keepers, but Carlo isn't going to be happy sitting on the bench for the rest of his life. I really appreciate everything he's done for Chelsea, but I think the time has come to sell him, preferably back to Italy where he can't hurt us. Inter have been having some keeper woes of late, I could see him headed there. Also, Ranieri was absolutely in love with Carlo, so maybe he could go to Valencia as well. Man U or Arsenal? JM's smarter than that.
I don't know what the defining moment was for Mourinho, although i suspect that Carlos standing on the 18yard line whilst the ball whistled by him in Philly was it, that made up his mind - but something did. It's too early to tell which is the better keeper really imho. I mean, would Carlo have done any worse in any of the games that Cech has played in so far - i for one highly doubt it! Carlo was always suspect on crosses and would be good for two or three howlers in the course of a season. Mourinho has stated a few times that he's watched plenty of Chelsea games from last season - perhaps this is the reason? Whatever. The point being this - Cech has played 13 games and has a howler. He may be on course to be on a par with Cudicini in that department - so then what? The "he's better on crosses" argument goes down the toilet. In that case i would opt for Carlo, as i think he's a proven shot stopper - not saying that Cech isn't, i'm just saying that Cudicini is a proven shot stopper. Frankly i amazed that Cech has done so well too date given that English football tends to have more balls crossed in with height than our European mates. However, our defense has been so strong that i can't remember a game where anybody has put in more than 2 decent crosses, or even had much of the ball to thump high balls 'to the big heeed' up front. I think, also, it should be remembered that the only team to have done so against us was Bolton and they brought a complete blunder out of him. So - after a long and thoughtful rant - i'm no closer to deciding on which one i would have. I would say though, that if we get another team that has the players of the type that play "ugly football" as that artful scot put it - i would tend to be less confident in Cech than i previously have been. Last comment - i promise He's 22 - with bags to learn yet, a year on the bench wouldn't have done him any harm.
--- i fully concur. the noise on the street ( Times On-line ) is that CC is going to be flogged off to Italy during transwin, but you know the press. i can imagine that the PSG game might tip the balance a bit, like if CC knocks down a PK or allows a dribbler between his legs. ( not originally intended to be word play, but hey, if it works for you, fine )
...and if Cech get injured...then what? He may - or may not - go in the close season, can't see any chance in hell of him being allowed to go in January.
--- of course this would hinge on RA getting another back-up, but CC is prime beef right now, and he ain't sittin on his duff collecting Euros at the Bridge for ever.
Of course not. However, can you honestly see another first rate keeper willingly coming to Chelsea too battle with Cech for a starting spot? Given time i have no doubt Kenyon would find one i suppose, thus the Summer would seem the obvious time of the club willing to let him go. This all hinges on whether or not Cudicini actually wants too leave - he may just be happy too stay and collect silver
I for one am tired of watching Cech boot the ball upfield to no positive effect. Carlo rarely if ever boots it. This resulted in one memorable gaff against Man U two years ago, but suits our style of play much better than Cech. Carlo's no runt. He's had good outings everytime he's played this year and (you read it here first) will replace Cech as first team keeper by the end of the year. Whether through injury or superior play, Carlo will get his chance this season. One theme that keeps coming through this season is that the old guard (players who were with the team last year) are slowly proving themself to the new boss. And don't forget who signed Robben. At some point, Mourinho is going to get tired of Cech just blasting the ball upfield to no purpose.
When we have Drogba, those punts upfield will make a lot more sense. And as for Carlo..........I still have my heart in my stomach whenever he goes out for crosses. I've seen no evidence that Carlo does anything better than Cech, except for distribution. And I don't think distribution for goalies is all that important. Plus, Cech is the long term solution, since he's only 22. Considering keepers play until their late 30s, its not inconceivable Cech will spend a decade or even more with us.
Jaysus. Distribution not important for keepers? Have you seen how Buffon can get a move going with a well-placed throw? Thing is, Carlo is perfectly capable of getting the ball out quickly. If I had a single criticism of him, it's his long kicking. As for his "howlers" last year, the only one that really stuck in my mind was against Arsenal. But then it would, wouldn't it? Surely no keeper, however brilliant, is going to have a perfect season. Man is man and therefore fallible, as all of us but the Pope know. And the Pope, frankly, ain't saying because he's too busy trying to remember who that funny-looking old guy is that stares back at him from the mirror every morning.
Its a peripheral part of the game, in my opinion. We're giving that to Carlo as a benefit. Well, there was also the one against ManUtd, and the one against Blackburn, and the one against........etc. I believe he has another one against Arsenal the year before. Cech has made one, thus far, and has looked more comfortable in the air than Carlo until that one mistake. Aside from that goal, he hasn't let in another one that I think Carlo might have saved. The one issue I do have with Cech is that sometimes he gives away rebounds a bit easily, but considering his reflexes and shot stopping abilities, I'm willing to live with that. Until Cech makes an error that REALLY costs us (lets face it, we should have won the Bolton game, and were up 2-1 after his mistake), this is still a moot point.
Cech all the way. Oh, and nice, you don't need to have one of ILC's quotes in your signature... i mean.. he's a good guy... sort of...
--- Cudicini has lost his starting spot and frankly I cannot see him getting it back, unless Petr Cech contracts Tim Howard Disease. The fact that Cech is 22 and is already as good as he is means, barring injury, he's going to be on near top of the EPL heap for a while. Cudicini will do better elsewhere, IMO. If the goal is to get a serviceable keeper who can back up Cech, there's someone out there, and the money CC is worth will be more than adequate. Hey! Speaking of Tim Howard.