Petr Cech has taken a step closer towards tabling a solid case that sees him lead Chelsea's international scouting programme.
The former Blues goalkeeper has had a tremendous impact on the west London side, on and off the pitch, since beginning a technical and advisory role at Stamford Bridge in 2019.
Cech provides advice on all football and performance matters throughout the club while also building a platform for clear communication between the boardroom and manager.
As part of the 39-year-old's role, Cech has great success in Chelsea's player recruitment scheme; his most notable signing has been Edouard Mendy from Rennes for a shrewd £22m.
However, while Cech has been rightfully lauded for his role in luring the Senegal international to Stamford Bridge, the former Czech international must be credited for his most significant decision that has yet to have been uncovered in Chelsea's hunt for a new goalkeeper.
According to various reports, Mendy reportedly joined Jan Oblak on Marina Granovskaia's transfer shopping list amid growing concerns with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In July 2020, the Mirror claimed that Chelsea wanted to swap the Spaniard with the Slovenian shot-stopper.
The report added that the Blues valued Oblak, who has since recorded the worst save success rate (21.4%) in Europe's top five leagues in 2022, at around £90m in what would have been a player plus cash deal.
In Chelsea's international scouting programme, Cech's role proved pivotal, saving the world champions a hefty fee.
The Premier League's all-time leading clean sheet holder has proven his ability to unearth shrewd investments while also pulling the handbrake on potential deals where the sole attraction is fuelled by off-field reputation.
Chelsea hasn't enjoyed nearly as much success with 'big money' transfers as the 'shrewd' deals. Rolling out the red carpet for Roman Abramovich to Cech in a director of football role could be a huge move.
The Czech's introduction into said the hypothetical position would offer the west Londoners a perfect boardroom balance of niche scouting knowledge, player negotiation techniques and excellent finance management.
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