Chelsea’s Cech leads calls for Nedved’s return

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech called Thursday for Pavel Nedved to reverse his decision to quit national service and help the Czech Republic at Euro 2008.

The Juventus midfielder, with 18 goals from 91 caps to his name, called time on his international career after the 2006 World Cup.

But pressure has mounted for the 2003 European Footballer of the Year to return to the national fold.

Cech told the Dnes newspaper: “Pavel is part of the team, he’s always made an important contribution to it. We’re in real need of a player with such experience and blessed with such skills.”

“His presence at the Euro would naturally be welcome, that’s obvious,” noted Nuremberg’s Czech striker Jan Koller.

Czech defender Radoslav Kovac said Nedved was “in excellent form at the moment and would surely enjoy an excellent Euro”.

Calls for Nedved to figure at Euro 2008 have grown following the longterm injury suffered by Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

Since his international debut in 1994 Nedved has taken part in three European championships, helping his country to the final in 1996 and semi-finals in 2004.

The Czech Republic start their Group A campaign against co-hosts Switzerland on June 7, with next up Portugal on June 11 and Turkey four days later.