Chelsea FC: Time to Cech-out Hilario

With Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech out for up to three to four weeks following his knee injury, 35-year-old Henrique Hilario has his chance to prove why he was offered a year’s contract extension.

During the pre-season friendlies, Hilario made some outstanding saves against the likes of Hong Kong Champions Kitchee SC and Thailand All-Stars, as well as a terrific penalty save to deny Luke Varney in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Fratton Park.

But the Portuguese stopper has proven his worth in bigger, more important games; most notably on his debut against a small Catalonian team known as FC Barcelona, where he managed to keep a clean sheet. Hilario also had impressive displays against Fenerbahce SK, Sheffield United and Liverpool when he won the Barclays Man of the match.

Personally, I’d rather have Henrique Hilario in goal over Ross Turnbull, and I’m sure next season new-boy Thibaut Courtois will take to the bench ahead of Turnbull and – if not already parted – Hilario. However, I’m looking forward to seeing how Hilario performs in the league following his impressive pre-season display. Next up: West Bromwich Albion at home.

By Aaron Aquilina

2 thoughts on “Chelsea FC: Time to Cech-out Hilario”

  1. I thought Hilario made two penalty saves during pre season? Anyway, although I was sceptical of the guy from the little I saw of him last term, during this summer tour he played exceptionally well with some great saves and was very much involved in us keeping clean sheets. Turnbull on the other hand is a disaster waiting to happen and for the life of me I do not know how he has retained his employment with CFC? He may be a lovely guy he may be a lot of things but a decent goalkeeper he is NOT. He is in a squad that is at least three divisions above the level of football he should be playing in and the goalkeeping coaches at Cobham should be ashamed of themselves for retaining this guy. He is useless! His wages could be going to a top notch highly talented youngster on the way up.
    Hilario must be Cech's deputy but I will cringe if he takes a knock and Turnbull is sitting on the bench. In over 45 years as a Chelsea fan I cannot think of a more uselss keeper than Turnbull at this club and it really beggars belief that he is part of our first team squad.

  2. I think it was just the one penalty save against Portsmouth – Kitchee missed their penalty against Blackburn in the Barclays Asia Cup whilst Frank Lampard missed one against Rangers. However Alan, I agree with your points about Turnbull.

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