Petr ÃÂech (; born 20 May 1982) is a Czech former professional football goalkeeper and current ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Haringey Huskies of the NIHL South Division 2. He has been described as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and as the greatest goalkeeper, alongside Peter Schmeichel, in Premier League history.
ÃÂech began his senior career at Chmel Blà ¡any in 1999, where he played sporadically for two seasons prior to relocating to Sparta Prague in 2001. At age 19, ÃÂech became a first team regular, and his single campaign with the club saw him register a league record of not conceding a goal in 903 competitive minutes. This led to his first move abroad, when he relocated to France to join Ligue 1 side Rennes for a fee of â¬5.5 million (ã3.9 million) in 2002.
In France, ÃÂech starred in an under-performing team, and was the subject of a then club-record transfer for a goalkeeper when he moved to Premier League side Chelsea for a fee of ã7 million (â¬9.8 million) in 2004. In his eleven-year spell at Chelsea, ÃÂech made 494 appearances in all competitions, making him their seventh most capped player of all time. He also helped the club win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League title, and one UEFA Europa League title. ÃÂech also holds Chelsea's all-time record for clean sheets, with 228. ÃÂech departed Chelsea in 2015 to join city rivals Arsenal for a fee of ã10 million, where he won another FA Cup before retiring in 2019.
A Czech international, ÃÂech made his debut with the Czech Republic in 2002, and is the most capped player in the history of the Czech national team, with 124 caps. He represented his country at the 2006 World Cup, as well as the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 European Championships. He was voted into the Euro 2004 All-Star team after helping the Czechs reach the semi-finals, and served as the team's captain, prior to retiring from international competition in 2016. ÃÂech also holds the record for the most Czech Footballer of the Year and Czech Golden Ball wins.
ÃÂech holds a number of goalkeeping records, including the Premier League record for fewest appearances required to reach 100 clean sheets, having done so in 180 appearances, the most clean sheets in a season (24), as well as the record for the most clean sheets in Premier League history (202). ÃÂech is also the only goalkeeper to have won the Premier League Golden Glove with two separate clubs, and has won it a joint record four times; in the 2004âÂÂ05, 2009âÂÂ10, 2013âÂÂ14 and the 2015âÂÂ16 seasons. He was voted the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 2005, received the award of Best Goalkeeper in the 2004âÂÂ05, 2006âÂÂ07 and 2007âÂÂ08 editions of the UEFA Champions League, and went 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal in the 2004âÂÂ05 season, a league record. He has the third most clean sheets since 2000 among all goalkeepers.
ÃÂech started playing football aged seven for à  koda Plzeà  (later known as Viktoria Plzeà Â). In his early days, he played as a striker, although he moved to the goalkeeper position after breaking his leg at age ten. ÃÂech joined Czech First League team Chmel Blà ¡any in June 1999 and made his league debut at the age of 17 in October 1999, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Sparta.
ÃÂech signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Sparta Prague at the age of 18 in January 2001, although he remained at Blà ¡any until the end of the 2000âÂÂ01 season. In November 2001, ÃÂech broke the record formerly held by Theodor Reimann for the longest time elapsed without conceding a goal in the Czech professional league, stretching his run to 855 minutes. His clean sheet record finally ended when he was beaten by a goal from Marcel Melecký of Bohemians on 17 November 2001, ending his record at 903 consecutive minutes without conceding.
Despite ÃÂech not winning the league title in the spring of 2002 with Sparta, he attracted interest from English clubs including Arsenal due to his international performances. Due to difficulties in obtaining a work permit, however, a proposed deal with the Gunners fell through.
In July 2002, ÃÂech moved to French club Rennes, signing a four-year contract for a transfer fee reported as CZK150 million (â¬5.5 million).
During his first season in France, he was awarded man of the match in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain by L'ÃÂquipe. In May 2003, Rennes were 17th in the league with a single match to play; they avoided relegation with a win against Montpellier in their final match.
Chelsea made a transfer bid for ÃÂech in January 2004 which was rejected. However in February Rennes agreed to ÃÂech's move to Chelsea for ã7 million. ÃÂech signed a five-year contract, to commence in July 2004, becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in Chelsea's history at that time. ÃÂech's was one of many British club transfers that came under the spotlight in the 2006 football corruption investigation for being potentially in breach of transfer regulations. The Stevens inquiry report, published in June 2007, found no evidence of illegal payments.
When ÃÂech arrived at Chelsea, Carlo Cudicini was already established as Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper. Cudicini, however, suffered a pre-season elbow injury that allowed Chelsea manager José Mourinho to promote ÃÂech into the starting spot, where he became the first-choice goalkeeper in his first season. He kept a clean sheet in his Premier League debut in a 1âÂÂ0 victory over Manchester United. On 5 March 2005, ÃÂech set a new Premier League record of 1,025 minutes without letting in a goal, though his record was later broken by Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar. ÃÂech finally conceded to Leon McKenzie of Norwich City, after keeping a clean sheet in the league since 12 December 2004 when Thierry Henry scored for Arsenal. ÃÂech was given a special award by the Premier League for the new record, and he was also awarded the Premier League Golden Glove at the end of the 2004âÂÂ05 season for keeping a record 24 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Chelsea retained the Premier League title in the 2005âÂÂ06 season, with ÃÂech playing in 34 league matches. Chelsea conceded just 22 times during the season. In January 2006, he was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for 2005. In February 2006, ÃÂech signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2010. He was also named the Czech Footballer of the Year for the first time.
ÃÂech underwent minor shoulder surgery on 27 June 2006 to repair a long-standing injury stemming from the previous season. He returned to action on 27 August 2006.
ÃÂech sustained a head injury in the match against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 14 October 2006 when he collided with Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt inside Chelsea's penalty area within the first minute of a Premier League match. Hunt's right knee hit ÃÂech's head, leaving the goalkeeper requiring treatment. ÃÂech was taken off after several minutes and replaced by Carlo Cudicini, who was knocked unconscious later in the same game, forcing Chelsea captain John Terry to play in goal for the match's remaining minutes. ÃÂech underwent surgery for a depressed skull fracture. Initially unaware of the seriousness of the injury, the doctors later reported that it nearly cost ÃÂech his life, and as a result of the collision, he suffered intense headaches. Chelsea went on to win the match 1âÂÂ0.
Chelsea manager José Mourinho blamed Hunt for ÃÂech's injury, saying that his challenge was "a disgrace". He also criticised the South Central Ambulance Service and match referee Mike Riley. A number of commentators, including current and former goalkeepers, saw the incident as highlighting the need for greater protection for goalkeepers.
ÃÂech was able to return home on 24 October 2006 and participated in light training the following week. Chelsea, however, announced that the goalkeeper would be out for three months, in line with medical advice on the time needed for complete recovery from the skull fracture. In an interview, ÃÂech said that he had no memory of the injury itself.
ÃÂech made his comeback in a Premier League match in a 2âÂÂ0 defeat against Liverpool on 20 January 2007, wearing a rugby style headguard made by Canterbury of New Zealand and carrying the manufacturer's logo. This caused friction with Czech national team sponsor Puma and Chelsea's apparel manufacturer Adidas. The matter was resolved after the latter sponsor developed its own headgear for ÃÂech to wear in club matches, while the player went on to wear an unbranded cap for national team games. ÃÂech wore the headguard for the rest of his career.
Although Chelsea lost ÃÂech's comeback match, he then went approximately 810 minutes of Premier League play without conceding a goal. On 11 April 2007, ÃÂech was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for the first time in his career, in recognition of his eight successive league clean sheets. He was the first goalkeeper to receive the award since Tim Flowers in 2000. This run was ended during a 4âÂÂ1 Chelsea victory over West Ham United on 18 April 2007 when Carlos Tevez scored against him.
ÃÂech also kept a clean sheet for Chelsea in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. He and United's Edwin van der Sar shared the honour of being the first goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet over 90 minutes in a competitive fixture at the new Wembley Stadium, but ÃÂech became the first goalkeeper to end a competitive game unbeaten, as Chelsea beat United 1âÂÂ0 to win the FA Cup.
ÃÂech started the 2007âÂÂ08 season conceding two goals against Birmingham City in the first match of the season. Despite this, Chelsea managed to win 3âÂÂ2 and set an English record for their 64th consecutive unbeaten league match at home. In November 2007, ÃÂech suffered an injury to his right calf muscle in the 0âÂÂ0 UEFA Champions League group stage match at Schalke 04. The following month, on 23 December 2007, he had to be replaced during a match against Blackburn Rovers due to a hip injury. Chelsea suffered their first major blow when they lost the League Cup final to Tottenham Hotspur, with ÃÂech parrying the ball onto Jonathan Woodgate's head for the winner. He played in several games until injuring his ankle in training on the eve of Chelsea's home Champions League tie with Greek champions Olympiacos. In the weeks that followed, ÃÂech missed key games of Chelsea's campaign, including the derby with Arsenal and both legs of the Champions League quarter-final. On 7 April 2008, it was announced that ÃÂech had undergone emergency surgery on his chin and lips following an accidental collision with Tal Ben Haim during training. He had 50 stitches put on his mouth and chin. He returned to action on 14 April, in a home match against Wigan Athletic which Chelsea drew 1âÂÂ1. He appeared in the Champions League final against Manchester United, where Chelsea lost in a penalty shoot-out.
ÃÂech signed a new five-year contract in July 2008 to keep him at Chelsea until 2013. Chelsea started the 2008âÂÂ09 season in good form, conceding only 7 goals in 17 games and keeping 11 clean sheets, 10 of which with ÃÂech in goal.
In November 2008, Chelsea beat Sunderland 5âÂÂ0 at Stamford Bridge, a game which marked the 100th match ÃÂech had played for Chelsea without conceding a goal. Chelsea had a 1âÂÂ0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League on his 200th appearance for the club, and he also starred in a 1âÂÂ0 away victory at Villa Park against Aston Villa, saving from Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry. The following week, ÃÂech helped Chelsea move up to second place in the league by saving from Paul Scharner in the first half against Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea won 2âÂÂ1. Successive clean sheets by ÃÂech in Chelsea's wins against Portsmouth and Coventry City saw his side consolidate their position in the Premier League whilst progressing into the FA Cup semi-finals. ÃÂech also made saves from Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso as Chelsea beat Liverpool 3âÂÂ1 at Anfield in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
In a crucial Premier League game in April 2009, with Chelsea comfortably leading 4âÂÂ0 against Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink took off both Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard only for Bolton to score three late goals which questioned the Chelsea defence, and in particular ÃÂech. ÃÂech, however, responded when he saved a penalty from Mark Noble in Chelsea's 1âÂÂ0 win at the Boleyn Ground against West Ham. He also kept a clean sheet in the next game against Barcelona during the Champions League semi-final first leg match. Following a 3âÂÂ2 win against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, ÃÂech and Chelsea finished the season with the joint-tightest defence in the Premier League along with Manchester United, having conceded just 24 goals over the course of the season. Despite conceding the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, ÃÂech helped Chelsea's 2009 FA Cup Final triumph over Everton. Chelsea won 2âÂÂ1, earning the Czech his seventh trophy at the club.
Former Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari accused ÃÂech, Michael Ballack and Drogba of causing his sacking, saying that they "did not accept my training methods or my demands". Scolari also said that it stemmed from a row between him and the Czech goalkeeper over the latter's alleged insistence on being given a personal coach. ÃÂech denied the claims saying that he was "disappointed with [Scolari] because never in my life have I had a personal goalkeeping coach".
ÃÂech began the 2009âÂÂ10 season in winning form with Chelsea, beating Manchester United in the Community Shield final at Wembley. With the game level at 2âÂÂ2 at the end of normal time, ÃÂech saved penalties from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra. ÃÂech kept goal for Chelsea in the six-match winning run that opened their season and placed them on top of the Premier League. On 26 September 2009, however, ÃÂech was sent off and at the same time conceded the winning penalty for a trip on Wigan forward Hugo Rodallega, in the defeat that broke the run and conceded the lead in the league to Manchester United. On 27 February 2010, ÃÂech sustained a calf injury in the Champions League match against Inter Milan. On 13 April, ÃÂech kept his 100th Premier League clean sheet for Chelsea, against Bolton. He won his second Premier League Golden Glove award for the season, having kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League as Chelsea secured a third title. He concluded his season by saving a Kevin-Prince Boateng penalty against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final, ensuring that the Blues went on to retain the Cup and achieve their first domestic double.
During 2010âÂÂ11 pre-season training, ÃÂech reaggravated the calf injury he suffered against Inter the previous season. Scans revealed a muscle tear that sidelined him for the next three weeks, including Chelsea's 3âÂÂ1 loss to Manchester United in the Community Shield. He returned on 14 August and kept a clean sheet as Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 6âÂÂ0. ÃÂech then kept another clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Arsenal, before keeping a clean sheet in a 0âÂÂ0 draw at Villa Park. On 7 March, ÃÂech made his 300th Chelsea appearance, against Premier League side Blackpool, which Chelsea went on to win 3âÂÂ1. On 19 May, ÃÂech was awarded the Chelsea Player of the Year for the first time. More than 28,000 fans voted for the award, which was handed over by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
ÃÂech started the opening game of Chelsea's 2011âÂÂ12 Premier League season away to Stoke City, which ended 0âÂÂ0. On 18 August 2011, ÃÂech was ruled out for up to four weeks after he sustained a knee injury in training. He made his return three weeks later against Sunderland in which Chelsea won 2âÂÂ1. He kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's first Champions League match of the season in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. On 27 February, ÃÂech was announced as the Czech Footballer of the Year for 2011, winning the award for the fifth time. On 24 March, ÃÂech played his 250th league game for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur in a 0âÂÂ0 draw at Stamford Bridge. ÃÂech saved a penalty in extra time against former teammate Arjen Robben, and two penalties in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, of the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich resulting in the first Champions League win for Chelsea. ÃÂech was named the Fans' Man of the Match following his heroic performance in goal for The Blues. By winning the Champions League, ÃÂech became just the fourth Czech to win the competition. He finished the season by signing a new four-year contract with Chelsea in May, keeping him with the club until the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season.
ÃÂech started in Chelsea's first match of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, the 2012 Community Shield against Manchester City, but failed to keep a clean sheet as Chelsea went down 3âÂÂ2 to goals from Yaya Touré, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri. He also featured in the last UEFA Super Cup to be played at Monaco's Stade Louis II, in which he conceded four goals as Chelsea lost 4âÂÂ1 to the UEFA Europa League winners Atlético Madrid. In October 2012, ÃÂech took the captain's armband as regular Chelsea captain John Terry was sidelined with a four-match ban.
In May 2013, ÃÂech won the UEFA Europa League when Chelsea defeated Benfica 2âÂÂ1 in the final.
On 19 October 2013, ÃÂech made his 300th Premier League appearance for Chelsea, in a 4âÂÂ1 home win over newly promoted side Cardiff City. On 11 January 2014, he kept his 209th clean sheet for Chelsea in all competitions in a 2âÂÂ0 away win at Hull City, beating the club record set by Peter Bonetti.
On 18 March 2014, ÃÂech made his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge. He became the fourth goalkeeper to make a century of appearances in the competition after Iker Casillas, VÃÂctor Valdés and Oliver Kahn.
On 22 April 2014, ÃÂech was substituted in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid with a shoulder injury. Chelsea manager José Mourinho stated that the injury would prevent ÃÂech from playing again in the 2013âÂÂ14 season. Despite the injury, ÃÂech would finish the season as the joint winner of the Premier League Golden Glove award along with Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech SzczÃÂsny, both keeping 16 clean sheets.
ÃÂech's place as Chelsea's starting goalkeeper was taken at the start of the season by Thibaut Courtois. This was possibly due to ÃÂech's long standing injury concerns to his shoulder, back and knees. On 24 September 2014, ÃÂech made his first appearance of the season against Bolton in the third round of the League Cup, a 2âÂÂ1 victory. He made his first league appearance of the season on 5 October, replacing the injured Courtois in the first half of a 2âÂÂ0 home win over Arsenal. His second start of the season came in the Champions League group stage victory against Slovenian side Maribor, keeping a clean sheet as Chelsea won 6âÂÂ0. With Courtois injured, ÃÂech made his first league start of the season on 13 December against Hull, keeping a clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 win.
Despite him being second choice, Mourinho stated that ÃÂech would not be sold in the January 2015 transfer window due to third-choice Mark Schwarzer leaving for Leicester City. During that month, ÃÂech made back to back starts in the Premier League against Newcastle United at home, followed by Swansea City away from home, keeping clean sheets in both wins. On 1 March 2015, ÃÂech started in goal in the 2015 Football League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, keeping a clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 victory to win the trophy for the third time in his career.
ÃÂech signed for Chelsea's Premier League rivals Arsenal on a four-year contract on 29 June 2015, for a fee of around ã10 million. His move saw him subjected to death threats by a few Chelsea supporters. The departure of Wojciech SzczÃÂsny to Roma on loan made ÃÂech first-choice goalkeeper ahead of David Ospina. On 2 August, ÃÂech won his first trophy with Arsenal after beating former side Chelsea 1âÂÂ0 in the 2015 FA Community Shield. A week later, he made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in a 2âÂÂ0 home defeat to West Ham. On 20 October, he made his first Champions League appearance for Arsenal in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Bayern Munich.
ÃÂech recorded his 170th Premier League clean sheet in a 2âÂÂ0 win against AFC Bournemouth on 28 December 2015, setting a new league record and overtaking previous record holder David James. On 2 March 2016, he was sidelined due to a calf injury while playing against Swansea. On 2 April, he returned as an unused substitute against Watford and returned to the pitch on 17 April against Crystal Palace in a narrow 1âÂÂ1 draw and guided Arsenal to its 500th Premier League win on 21 April against West Brom. Marking the end of his debut season with Arsenal, he was named the Premier League Goalkeeper of the season by critics and platforms for winning the Golden Glove with an under-performing defence.
ÃÂech was given the captain's armband for Arsenal in their 4âÂÂ3 opening day home loss to Liverpool. In September 2016, he featured for the full 90 minutes in a 3âÂÂ0 rout by Arsenal of his former side Chelsea at the Emirates. On 24 April 2017, ÃÂech played in the 2016âÂÂ17 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley, which Arsenal won 2âÂÂ1. During this season, Cech received mild criticism among Arsenal fans for his inability to play with the ball at his feet but meanwhile he had the third most clearances among all goalkeepers in Premier League with 11 which manifested his transformation into a "sweeper keeper". ÃÂech again held the captain's armband on 10 May 2017 in a 2âÂÂ0 win over Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium. ÃÂech was sidelined for the FA Cup Final due to injury, but Arsenal beat Chelsea 2âÂÂ1. ÃÂech won his fifth FA Cup, and Arsenal became the most successful club in the history of the competition with 13 tournament wins.
ÃÂech was Arsenal's starting goalkeeper in the 2017 Community Shield, against his former club Chelsea; following a 1âÂÂ1 draw after regulation time, Arsenal won the match in a 4âÂÂ1 penalty shoot-out, in which neither keeper saved a spot kick.
ÃÂech then held the armband to captain Arsenal in their 4âÂÂ3 opening day home win over Leicester City.
On 11 March 2018, ÃÂech became the first Premier League goalkeeper to keep 200 league clean sheets, after a match against Watford in which he saved a penalty from Troy Deeney.
ÃÂech started the 2018âÂÂ19 season as the first choice in goal for new manager Unai Emery, but later lost his place to new signing Bernd Leno after suffering a hamstring injury during a match against Watford. On 15 January 2019, ÃÂech announced via open letter on Twitter that he would retire at the end of the season. On 29 May, he made the final appearance of his career in Arsenal's 4âÂÂ1 defeat to his former club Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final. Several media outlets described him as Arsenal's Man of the Match.
ÃÂech started playing for the Czech Republic at youth level. He made a combined total of 34 appearances for age groups between under-15 and under-18 between 1998 and 2000. In 2000 he moved up to the under-20 and under-21 teams, making a total of 22 appearances across those teams. ÃÂech first came to prominence at the age of 20 at the 2002 U-21 European Championships, when he conceded only one penalty in a penalty shoot-out victory over France in the final, earning the Czech Republic their first title at youth level.
ÃÂech debuted for the senior squad in February 2002 against Hungary. After establishing himself as the first choice goalkeeper, ÃÂech was selected in the Czech Republic's squad for UEFA Euro 2004, where he was named in the all-star team as best goalkeeper at the tournament.
On 17 October 2007, ÃÂech captained the Czech Republic team in their Euro 2008 Group D qualifier against Germany. He kept a clean sheet and the Czechs defeated Germany 3âÂÂ0 away to book their place for the finals in Austria and Switzerland. In the last group game of the final tournament, ÃÂech was beaten three times in the final 15 minutes as Turkey overcame a two-goal deficit to knock the Czechs out. ÃÂech had a cross slip through his hands, allowing Nihat Kahveci to score Turkey's equalising goal.
On 29 May 2012, ÃÂech was named in the Czech Republic's squad for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. In the Czech Republic's group match against Greece, a fumble from ÃÂech allowed the Greeks a goal. ÃÂech deputised for the injured TomÃ¡à ¡ Rosický as captain in the final group match against Poland, as the Czech Republic qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1âÂÂ0 victory. ÃÂech's captaincy continued in the quarter-final, where the Czechs lost to Portugal through a 79th-minute Cristiano Ronaldo goal.
On 26 March 2013, ÃÂech made his 100th appearance for the Czech Republic, keeping a clean sheet in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Armenia. ÃÂech equalled the national record of former teammate Karel Poborský on 17 November 2015, when he earned his 118th appearance in a 3âÂÂ1 loss to neighbours Poland in Wrocà Âaw. The following 27 May, he took the record outright by playing in a 6âÂÂ0 friendly victory over Malta.
On 8 July 2016, ÃÂech announced his retirement from international football. He is the most capped player in the history of the Czech team, with 124 caps.
In June 2019, ÃÂech returned to former club Chelsea as a technical and performance advisor.
In October 2020, ÃÂech was included in Chelsea's 25-man Premier League squad for the 2020âÂÂ21 season. The club announced that ÃÂech was included as an emergency goalkeeper and as a non-contract player, and that this was a precautionary move due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made one appearance for Chelsea's under-23 team in the Premier League 2.
During a protest against the proposed European Super League outside Stamford Bridge on 20 April 2021, ÃÂech approached fans who were blocking the team bus and could be heard saying "give us time". The fans did move and the team bus was able to enter after a short delay. Later that day, Chelsea were among the first clubs to withdraw from the league.
In June 2022, ÃÂech left Chelsea after Todd Boehly took over the club.
On 9 October 2019, ÃÂech signed for ice hockey side Guildford Phoenix of the National Ice Hockey League Division 2 (level 4 of British hockey) as a goaltender. He chose to wear number 39 jersey in honour of Dominik Haà ¡ek. ÃÂech said he would continue his role as a technical and performance advisor at Chelsea whilst playing ice hockey in his spare time. He was named the man of the match on his ice hockey debut on 13 October, after stopping two penalty shots in a shoot-out victory, and making several other crucial saves. After winning a treble with Guildford Phoenix in the 2021âÂÂ22 season, ÃÂech signed for the National Ice Hockey League Division 1 side Chelmsford Chieftains in November 2022. In June 2023, after one season with Chelmsford, he signed for fellow Division 1 side Oxford City Stars.
In the 2023 off-season, ÃÂech played for the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) defending champions, Belfast Giants, in a charity match to support the continuation of ice hockey in Ukraine (amid the Russo-Ukrainian War), raising ã65,000. In November 2023, he joined the club on loan as temporary emergency cover. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, ÃÂech revealed that he used to play youth ice hockey in addition to football, but equipment costs forced him to play the significantly cheaper sport of football. He also stated that ice hockey was his preferred sport as a child. ÃÂech made his first and only appearance for the Giants during his initial loan spell in a 5âÂÂ1 win over the Glasgow Clan on 25 November, playing for the final five minutes of the game in relief of starting goaltender Tyler Beskorowany, and making one save. He returned to his parent club in December before re-signing for the Giants on loan for a second time in the 2023âÂÂ24 season in February 2024. In the summer of the same year, he joined the Belfast Giants for the third time on a short-term deal.
ÃÂech did not play during the 2024âÂÂ25 season. In the middle of the 2025âÂÂ26 season, he signed a contract with the National Ice Hockey League Division 2 side Haringey Huskies.
Since emerging in his youth, ÃÂech has been considered to be one of the greatest, most consistent, and most respected goalkeepers both of his generation and of all time. Throughout his career, ÃÂech was noted for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, as well as his positional sense, concentration, defense organization, cross-handling abilities, and command of his area.
Although ÃÂech is not as adept with the ball at his feet as the newer generation of goalkeepers that emerged in his later career, he possesses a deep kick with either foot, despite being naturally left-footed. His ability to produce deep kicks and long throws came to use in his Chelsea days for starting quick counter-attacks which were an important part of their game. In his later career, he often functioned as a sweeper keeper, due to his ability to rush off his line, anticipate opponents who had beaten the offside trap, and clear the ball away from danger. ÃÂech is also known for his penalty-saving abilities. Some examples of his penalty saves in high-profile matches include those made in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, the 2010 FA Cup final, and his penalty save against Blackburn during the 2004âÂÂ05 season, which helped him beat Peter Schmeichel's Premier League record of 694 minutes without conceding a goal. He cited fellow goalkeepers Oliver Kahn, Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar as inspirations in his early career.
ÃÂech is considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers both of his generation and of all time, as well as one of the best keepers in Premier League history, and has earned praise from several players, pundits, and managers due to his goalkeeping ability. Fellow goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon named ÃÂech as the best goalkeeper of his era, saying: "The best goalkeeper with his feet? Pepe Reina. In the air I'd say Neuer. With his hands: Casillas. The best overall I'd say is ÃÂech." Iker Casillas instead described him as, "One of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen" via his Twitter account. Former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann have hailed him as "one of the greatest of all time". Journalist Alan Tyers of The Telegraph described ÃÂech as the "Premier League's best-ever goalkeeper" in 2019.
ÃÂech currently holds two Guinness World Records for the most clean sheets in English Premier League history, and for winning the Premier League Golden Glove Award with two different clubs. Nathan Baxter, Martin Dúbravka, Marek Rodák and João VirgÃÂnia are some of the goalkeepers who have described him as their idol. In 2011, ÃÂech was voted the third best goalkeeper of the first decade of 21st century by IFFHS. He also has the third highest number of clean sheets (391) since 2000s among all goalkeepers. Former Premier League striker and record-goalscorer Alan Shearer named ÃÂech in his Premier League's Team of the Decade in 2019.
ÃÂech was born a triplet along with his sister à  Ã¡rka and brother Michal in Plzeà Â, Czechoslovakia (present day Czech Republic). He has a weaker skull as a result of being a triplet.
ÃÂech married Martina Dolejà ¡ová (now ÃÂechová; born 1982), also of Czech nationality, in June 2003. They have a daughter Adéla, born in 2008, and a son Damián, born in 2009, who signed his first professional contract with Fulham in 2025. In August 2025, ÃÂech announced that he and his wife Martina were divorcing.
He is a keen musician and plays the drums. He has a YouTube channel under his own name on which he posts video drum covers, including Incubus' "Anna Molly", as well as songs by Coldplay and Foo Fighters. He has played with Roger Taylor of Queen. In May 2019, he and Taylor released a charity single called That's Football. In 2020, he joined folk rock band Wills & The Willing as their drummer, filming their music video "Iceberg".
Along with his native language Czech, ÃÂech also speaks English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
Chelsea
Arsenal
Czech Republic U21
Individual
Guildford Phoenix
Individual