Mark Schwarzer

[Reddish-Blue 2,347]

What weird timing. He could have waited till after the WC. His still their best keeper, I reckon.

True, he could have waited till after WC...but I remember an interview with Schwarzer about 2 years ago when he was asked about retirement.

And Schwarzer's reply was along the lines of: If my body can't hold up, then I would be happy to make way for youth.

Hopefully Langerak (Dortmund's #2) gets the chance to fill the void

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Mark Schwarzer has announced his retirement from international football.

o_O

Weird!

[LeonDavis23 371]

ah bummer he'll be missed by us, many memorable moments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZdbW7PSPGk

[bushman 2,043]

Him being 41, perhaps it was time to hang it.

In a way I feel sad for him. Currently, he is not playing at Chelsea much, it could have been one of the reasons to retire, then.

Long-serving keeper for Socceroos, he was.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

ah bummer he'll be missed by us, many memorable moments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZdbW7PSPGk

I read something about the manager not picking a captain for your game against Costa Rica?

[LeonDavis23 371]

I read something about the manager not picking a captain for your game against Costa Rica?

lucas neill? Don't know where he is playing nowadays but hopefully the new coach starts giving a few of the youngsters a chance as our golden generation's (neill, cahill, kewell, bresciano, etc.) best days are probably over unfortunately

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSAhSWLGEo

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I honestly think he should play the next match. Statistics speak for themselves - Cech hasn't made a save for us in 276 minutes, and the last eight shots he's faced, he's let in. Don't get me wrong, he couldn't do anything about probably six of those, but there are those that are preventable, and it is those ones that look the worst when they nestle in the back of the net. He needs some time on the sidelines. It's not as if we're replacing him with an Hilario or a Turnbull; Schwarzer is still a class keeper.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Should start the next two matches.

[The only place to be 11,313]

If we had a young keeper who made those mistakes, then maybe dropping Cech would be worth it but the guy is 31. What exactly are we expecting him to learn from some time on the bench? His preparation for matches is still first-class, but maybe this is just who he is now. He looks a little gun-shy so why not let him have a couple of games against Steuau and Palace to get some confidence back?

If we had Courtois waiting on the bench then it would absolutely make sense to pull the trigger, but we need Cech to be at his best for the rest of this season and I don't know what dropping him actually does.

[silviupastean 135]

Should start the next two matches.

agree. maybe a rest for petr will do him good.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

If we had a young keeper who made those mistakes, then maybe dropping Cech would be worth it but the guy is 31. What exactly are we expecting him to learn from some time on the bench? His preparation for matches is still first-class, but maybe this is just who he is now. He looks a little gun-shy so why not let him have a couple of games against Steuau and Palace to get some confidence back?

If we had Courtois waiting on the bench then it would absolutely make sense to pull the trigger, but we need Cech to be at his best for the rest of this season and I don't know what dropping him actually does.

I think it would remind him that his position is certainly not infallible - not just in the future with the return of Courtois in the summer, but right now, with an exceptionally good goalkeeper on the bench that deserves his chance.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Spot on positioning and handling tonight.

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Markie was solid, commanding and assertive. I've always liked him as a player, and I'm glad he's now with us. Admittedly he didn't have to do much throughout the match but he did well when called upon, especially his ball distribution. I think he could still have a one or two seasons on him.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Clean sheet for oldest debutante in the history of the CL. Well done Mark, it was a flawless performance. I'd like to see him vs Palace again just to keep Petr on his toes for the Christmas period.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

3 games, 3 clean sheets.

If you have a striker that scores a goal in every game, you continue to play him. The position is all about confidence.

The same applies to a goalkeeper. Schwarzer should retain his place.

[The only place to be 11,313]

He'll be dropped as soon as he makes a mistake, mainly because Cech is a far better keeper.

Used to be that keeper was the one position we were consistent in - now we can't even rely on that.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He'll be dropped as soon as he makes a mistake, mainly because Cech is a far better keeper.

Used to be that keeper was the one position we were consistent in - now we can't even rely on that.

Spot on, it's the same as when Lopez supplanted Casillas at Real, and identical to the Pantillimon-Hart situation at City. In both scenarios the latter is, clearly, the far better goalkeeper, but whilst the other isn't making any errors, you have to continue to play them, right?