Chelsea legend Petr Cech set for surprise return for development side against Tottenham

Petr Cech is set to make a surprise return to action for Chelsea tonight, when he plays for their development squad against Tottenham.

The 38-year-old is the club’s technical and performance directorbut he has been training with the first team and was registered as emergency cover in Chelsea’s Premier League squad in October.

Cech has not played competitively since he retired after the Europa League Final between Arsenal and Chelsea in 2019, when he kept goal for the Gunners. Chelsea have confirmed, however, he is set to play in a Premier League 2 fixture against Tottenham at Kings-meadow this evening.

Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero and Karlo Ziger are all ahead of Cech in the pecking order but the game provides a chance for him to get minutes under his belt.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has defended Kai Havertz, insisting the £71million star will prove his critics wrong. The German is yet to hit form since joining Chelsea but Lampard said: “We have to be patient. He is a top-quality talent who has come into this league.

“People who want to criticise [should] just wait. I know the player that Kai is going to be.”