Hiddink backs Cech, quashes Gomes rumours

Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink has spoken out in support of his under-fire goalkeeper Petr Cech, who has received criticism after conceding seven goals in his last two matches.

Cech saw Liverpool score four times in the 4-4 draw that saw Chelsea qualify for the last four of the Champions League on Wednesday, while the Blues shipped three goals at home to Bolton in a 4-3 Premier League win last Saturday.

Chelsea’s defensive frailties have produced no shortage of newspaper column inches ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday, but Hiddink dismissed concerns about Cech’s abilities.

“My thoughts on Petr are very positive because since I’ve been here he has done very good goalkeeping work,” Hiddink said on Friday.

“We don’t neglect the reality because we want to get better, but Petr is an intelligent person and knows that he had one or two moments when it was not going as he wished. That’s it.

“When a goalkeeper makes a mistake there’s always direct consequences.

“Every now and then a keeper has the right to make an error and then we move on.”

The Dutch coach, who is in charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season after being brought in to replace the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari, also rubbished rumours linking the club with a move for Tottenham’s Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

“It’s news to me and has no single grain of truth in it,” he said.