Chelsea legend Petr Cech has urged Manchester United starlet Radek Vitek to ‘continue playing’ next season even if it means leaving the club this summer.
Senne Lammens arrived at Old Trafford from Royal Antwerp last summer with the Belgian enjoying a terrific first season in the Premier League after the calamitous reigns of Andre Onana and Altay Baynindir in goal.
While he was at fault during the 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday, he looks set to be a long-term option in goal at Old Trafford.
But United do have another very promising option between the sticks. After spells at Accrington Stanley and Austrian outfit BW Linz, Vitek joined Bristol City last summer, enjoying a fantastic campaign on loan with the Championship side where has scooped the Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
Vitek signed a new long-term contract with United before leaving on loan but it is not yet clear what their plans are for him next season. With Onana and Bayindir expected to leave, there will be room for a second goalkeeper to provide cover and competition for Lammens.
But with the Belgian making the no1 spot his own, he will face a fight for minutes.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Cech has been very impressed with his young compatriot and believes there will be interest from other Premier League teams this summer, urging him to make a first-team role his top priority next season.
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‘It’s important to play,’ Cech told BBC Sport.
‘Of course, there are situations where sometimes you know that you have a big chance to come back and fight for your position. That’s a different thing.
‘But as it stands at United, Lammens has done really well. I’m sure he [Vitek] will want to go somewhere and continue playing.’
Cech continued: ‘It’s great to see him progress because playing for the Under-21s with United is one thing, but then he played men’s football in Austria, which went really well for him, then he came back to England with Bristol City and did well there.
‘That obviously gives him an opportunity to attract even attention from teams in the Premier League.
‘I met him a couple of years ago, when we had a training session and talked about things. I could see he’s got the hunger and the willingness to get better.’
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