BURNLEY, England : Petr Cech's decade-long status as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper has ended after he was displaced by rival Thibaut Courtois for the team's first match of the Premier League season.
Courtois was selected in goal by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for Monday's game at Burnley.
Mourinho has been persuaded to select the 22-year-old Courtois after the Belgium international's superb performances on loan at Atletico Madrid last season and during the World Cup in Brazil.
Cech has been one of Chelsea's most important and reliable players since joining the London club from French side Rennes in 2004. Mourinho gave playing time to both Courtois and Cech during the preseason, but had not disclosed his No. 1 until now.
