Chelsea captain John Terry fears that selling goalkeeper Petr Cech to Arsenal could cost the Blues the title next season.
Terry believes that Cech, who has agreed an £11 milion move to the Emirates, could be worth up to 15 points a season to the Gunners.
Jose Mourinho has been against selling Cech to a title rival, and Terry thinks his manager’s doubts over the move are well-founded as Cech would affect their chances of retaining their crown.
Terry, whose side finished 12 points ahead of third-placed Arsenal last season, said:
“There is obviously talk of Arsenal signing Petr.
“If they do get Petr he is going to strengthen them for sure. He could save them 12 or 15 points a season.
“Petr has been very good as well because as a professional when you get left out of the team it is difficult to accept.
“But he has been an unbelievable professional in the last year and when he came in he was excellent in the games he played so he deserves a lot of credit for that.
“I am sure that if he does leave the club, which nobody wants to see but we understand he wants to play football, then he is going to be sorely missed and will improve whichever side he goes to.”
Terry added:
“I feel Arsenal and Man United are going to be very strong next year as well so I think there are many teams (likely to challenge for the title), similar to what it was this year.
“We all know that second year once you’ve won it the first year, everyone wants to beat the champions the following year and it becomes even harder.”
Interestingly the one team that Terry did not mention as title contenders is Manchester City!
