Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea's Petr Cech targets Gianfranco Zola's appearance record
Petr Cech has exploded the myth of the seven-year itch by revealing he wants to double the length of his Chelsea career.[LNB]Goalkeeper Cech is nearing the end of his seventh season at Stamford Bridge, which should see him beat the appearance record for an overseas player of 312 held by Gianfranco Zola.[LNB]And the 28-year-old, who will play his 304th Blues game in tonight's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester United, has no intention of stopping there, revealing he wants to rack up 600 for the club.[LNB] Number One: Cech keen to eclipse Zola's appearance record[LNB]Cech, whose arrival at Chelsea coincided with the most successful period in the club's history, told Chelsea Magazine: 'When I joined the club in 2004, I was 22 years old and full of excitement.[LNB]'Now I'm here, almost seven years later, and I still feel the excitement and I still like it.[LNB]'To hear someone say that you have made over 300 appearances for Chelsea sounds really nice, especially when, over that time, we have been regarded as one of the best clubs in Europe, and in the world.[LNB]'I hope there will be more to come. Now, it's 300. But, who knows, maybe it can be 600 in years to come.'[LNB]Cech has won every major domestic trophy multiple times while at Stamford Bridge and will tonight attempt to move a step closer to landing the one prize that has eluded him, the Champions League.[LNB] Record breaker: Zola has the most appearances - 312, by an overseas player for Chelsea[LNB]But despite his determination to spend another seven years with last season's double winners, Cech admitted he could not see himself getting anywhere near fellow goalkeeper Peter Bonetti's 729 Chelsea appearances.[LNB]He said: 'Peter Bonetti spent 20 years at the same club![LNB]'That's a long time and, you never know, but - at the moment - I can't see me still playing when I'm 38 or older.[LNB]'I can hardly imagine it because nowadays the game is so fast and demanding.[LNB]'As long as the club and everybody else wants me to stay and play for Chelsea I will be happy to do so.'[LNB]Cech does have one club record firmly in his sights though, saying: 'The only non-British player who has more games than me now is Gianfranco Zola, and he is one of the club's biggest legends.[LNB]'So, if I can get over 312 games, that's another milestone and it will make me proud again.'[LNB] Jamie Carragher's Champions League dossier: Chelsea v Manchester United Moscow triumph will have no bearing on Chelsea clash, insists FergusonAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Gianfranco Zola, Petr Cech Places: Europe
