Jose Mourinho: Petr Cech future is "not in my hands"

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he does not have a say on the future of goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The 32-year-old has played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois this season, and is keen to leave the club in order to play first-team football.

The veteran shot-stopper has been heavily linked with Arsenal, but Mourinho still has hopes of keeping him at the club.

He told talkSPORT: "My perfect scenario is that he stays with us. He belongs with this club, and this club belongs to his history and his life. He's a fantastic goalkeeper, a fantastic squad man in the dressing room. I tried to prove the respect I have for him my playing him in the FA Cup and Capital One Cup final.

"I played him in the Champions League. I gave him matches in the Premier League. I tried to make him feel important, as he is, but I can imagine at 32 or 33, he still feels young and has the passion and desire to play every game.

"If it's in my hands, he would never go. He would never go to big clubs and fantastic teams, big candidates who want to win the Premier League. I would never let him go, but it's not in my hands."

Cech has played 15 times for the Blues this season.