Chelsea transfer news: Jose Mourinho hints at Petr Cech exit

Jose Mourinho has suggested Petr Cech is behind Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea pecking order - and hinted at a possible Blues exit for the Czech international.

The Blues manager has said Cech will face a 'fight for position' with the impressive Belgium international, who is returning to Stamford Bridge after three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho was full of praise for Courtois and talked up back-up stopper Mark Schwarzer, but curiously said little about the man who joined Chelsea in 2004.

"Petr is ready to fight for his position but Thibaut is the best young goalkeeper in the world, no doubts about that.

"They will fight and for me it’s a good problem to have to make a decision."

But neither of Chelsea's leading goalkeepers are willing to sit on the bench next season, meaning Mourinho may have to sacrifice one before the transfer window shuts in September.

And after Cech's agent admitted his player could leave Stamford Bridge earlier in July, Mourinho emphasised the fact one goalkeeper could leave by referring to Australian Mark Schwarzer as a stable 'second goalkeeper'.

"We are a club that wants to be strong and wants to have a real possibility of competing for trophies and we want competition for places.

"But I know that Mark Schwarzer is a very good keeper, very stable and a good man, completely ready to be our second goalkeeper like he was last season and to give positive performances if we need him to play.

"So if he’s our second goalkeeper, we will feel very safe with him."