Cech inspired by Buffon, Casillas

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has revealed his admiration for fellow shot-stoppers Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas.

The Czech played a key role in his side’s Champions League victory last season with some crucial saves in the final against Bayern Munich, and has now admitted that the Juventus and Real Madrid stalwarts have inspired him.

Cech believes the experienced duo remain the best goalkeepers in the world.

“I definitely admire Buffon and Casillas,” Cech told UEFA.com.

“They have kept a consistent level of performance for more than 10 years at the top for club and country. That’s why they are still among the best keepers in the world.

“Oliver Kahn, Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar inspired me early in my career. Each of them had something inspiring, because they were all different characters.

“Then Buffon appeared and changed everything.

“Later, Casillas was very interesting. He started to play for Real Madrid, historically one of the best teams in the world, at the age of 17 or 18. So I told myself: ‘OK, if he can play for a big club so young, age is not an obstacle. There is no reason why I cannot make it too’.”

Cech has made over 250 Premier League appearances for Chelsea since joining the club from Stade Rennes in 2004.