Chelsea legend Petr Cech claims playing ice hockey is 'more fun' than Champions League

Chelsea legend Petr Cech claims playing ice hockey is "more fun" than the Champions League as he revealed he is fulfilling a childhood dream.

Cech won the richest prize in European club football in 2012 with Chelsea as they beat Bayern Munich on penalties and also lifted four Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.

He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in history but the former Czech Republic international has admitted he is finding more enjoyment in his current venture in another sport.

After retiring from football following Arsenal's Europa League final defeat to Chelsea, he signed with Guildford Phoenix in 2019 and was named Man of the Match on his debut after saving a penalty.

Cech continued to play while serving as a technical advisor at old club Chelsea and won the treble with Phoenix in the 2021/22 season.

But after leaving his post in June following Todd Boehly's takeover, penned a deal with NIHL South Division One side Chelmsford Chieftains in November.

Image: Alamy

Playing as a goaltender, Cech wears the No.39 shirt in tribute of Chicago Blackhawks legend Dominik Hasek and it is his exploits on the ice rink which provides him with the most satisfaction.

"It's a completely different level of pressure," Cech told the Daily Mail.

"This is more fun than when you play a Champions League game for everything.

"I still have that feeling in myself because I want to perform. I want to win. I hate losing. It's the same feeling I had when I played football.

"You still get that feeling when you're walking through the corridor, to the ice, surrounded by all these people. Maybe if there were 30 fans, it would be different. But the building is full. That's what I like."

Image: Alamy

He's essentially playing the same position just on ice rather than grass but Cech, who had a training session with the Blackhawks, has said the game is "completely different" and mentioned skating being a "big challenge".

His team lost to Invicta Dynamos on Sunday and are now fifth in the table. They return to action against MK Thunder next weekend.

Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Ice Hockey, Petr Cech

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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