Carlo Cudicini has warned Petr Cech he is not about to surrender the Chelsea goalkeeper's jersey to the £9 million new arrival without a fight. New manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to have two internationals for each position and has plenty of options between the posts next season. As well as Cudicini, who became first choice under former manager Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea signed young Czech Republic international Cech from Rennes this summer, while they also have Scotland's Neil Sullivan, Austrian Jurgen Macho and Marco Ambrosio in their ranks.
Cudicini, though, is only concerning himself with proving to the manager that he should be the first name on the team-sheet.
He said: "I know that there will be competition and I am ready for it. I don't think that money should let you play. Somebody could cost eight, nine or 10 million but that does not mean that he has to play. This does not bother me. I know that the challenge will be on the pitch, not by the transfer fee."
While Cudicini is determined to make up Mourinho's mind for him by continuing the displays which have made him one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the English top flight over the past couple of seasons, the Italian revealed he will not be content with an extended stay among the substitutes.
He added: "I love Chelsea and expect to stay at the club until the end of my contract in 2008. That is my desire and I hope it will be the same for the club."
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
