CUDICINI wants to quit Chelsea this summer
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CARLO CUDICINI has told Chelsea he wants to quit this summer. The Italian keeper, 34, is under contract until 2009 and Chelsea want him to stay. But Cudicini’s first choice is a move to Aston Villa. His agent delivered the news to chief executive Peter Kenyon last week. A source close to Cudicini said: “There will be another meeting with Chelsea to decide what is best for the club and Carlo. "There is interest from Aston Villa as well as Manchester City.” Cudicini, who joined Chelsea in 1999, has stuck with Blues despite being relegated to No2 after Petr Cech’s arrival in 2004. He has made just 23 Premier League appearances in the last four seasons. Villa boss Martin O’Neill is keen to land the keeper after deciding not to exercise a £9million option to buy Liverpool’s Scott Carson.
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scott carson better
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STEVEN HOWARD - Chief sports writer
IT always struck me as strange how Carlo Cudicini stayed at Chelsea despite little hope of replacing Petr Cech. Yes, he was getting vast amounts of money for doing so. But, at the same time, the sands of time were running out.
And, at 34, there wasn’t much left. Now, though, there is reported interest in him from Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Now normally I would cheer Cudicini for finally seeing sense and deciding it will be a far more enjoyable retirement looking back on a career where he was fully employed rather than staring at an enormous bank balance. That, at 34, he was showing he still retained ambition.
Then we look at the two clubs involved. And the fact their respective goalkeepers are part of that rare breed — young, gifted and English. What a blow for them and their international prospects if they were to be replaced by a foreign veteran like Cudicini.
And to think, like England fast bowlers, you once only had to holler down a mine shaft for another couple of gems to pop their heads out. I think you might have to stay at the Bridge after all, Carlo!
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How many more years for him? 5?
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he didn't need to play regular football because he had no hopes of making it to the italian team too. i guess thats one of the reason, plus he gets comfortable at the bridge too.its a comfortable life.