Sports News
Czech international goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed with Chelsea, though he will not be leaving Rennes until the summer. Meanwhile, midfielder Tomas Rosicky denies he has agreed terms with the London club. Jiri Novak is the only Czech left in the singles at tennis's Australian Open, and ice hockey star Robert Lang has said he is uninterested in playing in Russia if an NHL strike takes place.
Czech signs with Chelsea but stays at Rennes till end of season
After weeks of speculation the future of Czech international football goalkeeper Petr Cech was decided this week, when the 21-year-old agreed a five-year contract with one of the world's most talked about clubs, Chelsea. French side Rennes will reportedly receive around 13 million euro for Cech, who will not leave them until the end of the season. Chelsea already have four goalkeepers on their books and have been linked to another, Paul Robinson of Leeds and England. Is Petr Cech confident of making the first eleven at the superrich club?
"Of course the club didn't buy me just to put me in a display case. As far as I know Robinson from Leeds hasn't joined Chelsea. And, from what I was told in London yesterday, he won't be either."
Rosicky denies agreeing terms with Chelsea
Cech's international team-mate Tomas Rosicky has also been linked to Chelsea. However, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been quick to play down the rumours.
"These reports have no basis in truth. I haven't signed anything and I haven't agreed anything with anybody, so I really must refute such stories. I know Petr Cech has signed with Chelsea and I was really glad to hear it, because he will have a place there. But it has nothing to do with me."
Veteran Nemec joins Zizkov, AC Milan linked to Koller
In other transfer speculation, Rosicky's Dortmund team-mate Jan Koller is said to have attracted the interest of Champions League holders AC Milan. In a deal which has been confirmed, the oldest player in the Czech first division, Jiri Nemec, is leaving Sparta Prague for Viktoria Zizkov. Nemec, who is 38 in May and captained the Czech national team for several years, has signed a contract with Zizkov until June 2005.
Novak beats fellow-Czech Vacek to reach third round in Melbourne
Dream start for Slegr at Boston
Czech ice hockey player Jiri Slegr has got off to a great start at Boston: the defender scored in his first two games for his new club, after a recent move from Vancouver.
Lang unwilling to play in Russia if NHL strike takes place
Slegr's countryman Robert Lang, currently leading the NHL points table, has said he will not play in the Russian league if a mooted NHL strike takes place. Lang, who plays with fellow Czech Jaromir Jagr at the Washington Capitals, told a Russian sports daily he would prefer to stay in the US playing golf and taking it easy if there is a strike.
