Petr Cech has expressed his delight after getting the chance to re-join Chelsea in the technical and performance advisory role. The 37-year-old stepped down from the game at the end of the previous campaign and he has now been handed with a backroom role with the Blues after turning down a coaching positionat ex-club Arsenal.

“I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to join Chelsea FC again and help create the best possible high level performance environment to continue the success the club has had over the past 15 years. I’m looking forward to the new challenge and hope I can use all of my football knowledge and experience to help the team achieve even more success in the future,” Cech told the club’s official website.

The Blues did not experience the best of campaigns under Maurizio Sarri last term but they nonetheless ended the season on a high with a top-four Premier League finish while beating Arsenal to the Europa League title. Nonetheless, they find themselves on the backfoot ahead of next season with both Eden Hazard and Sarri leaving the club while they are banned from recruiting players for the next 12 months.

The west London outfit have been punished for breaking rules over the treatment of under-age players and so far, they have failed with the appeal to FIFA. As such, they have sought to defend the case with a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport but so far, there has been no indication that the ban could be delayed beyond the summer. Surprisingly, the Blues have declined the option to appeal for a freeze but reports indicate that the Court of Arbitration for Sport may automatically delay the ban, considering the hearing could take an extended period of time. The Blues start their new Premier League campaign with a tough away trip to Manchester United.