CECH SENDS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE TO MIKEL

Chelsea director Petr Cech has sent a birthday message to John Obi Mikel who was his teammates at the West London club for many years.
Petr Cech sent the message as a reply to the birthday post made on April 22 by the official Instagram handle of Chelsea in honour of the Nigerian midfielder who now plays in the English Championship with Stoke City.

Mikel was celebrated by Chelsea on his big day with support from former teammates like Petr Cech and John Terry. The Stoke City player was at the centre of a transfer war between Chelsea and Manchester United before the Blues eventually won the race to sign him. He went on to win the Young Player of the Year in his first season at the club.

Cech, Terry and Mikel made history together at Chelsea as part of the first squad to win the Champions League title under the guidance of former player and manager Roberto Di Matteo. The three players all played their respective roles in that Champions League triumph at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Chelsea saw off Spanish giants Barcelona in the semi-finals before beating German champions Bayern Munich on penalties in the final. The Blueshad defeated Barcelona 1-0 at home in the first leg of their last four tie before a 2-2 draw in the second leg ensured that they booked their place in the final at the Allianz Arena, the home stadium of final opponents Bayern. Chelsea got the better of the Catalan giants via a 3-2 aggregate win.

In the final, Bayern scored late in the game through Thomas Mueller only for Chelsea to rescue with a bullet header when it looked like the West Londoners would be losing finalists for the second time in five finals after the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Premier League rivals Manchester United. The goal from Drogba forced extra time and then penalties.

Chelsea legend Petr Cech saved a penalty from Dutchman Arjen Robben in extra time thus paving the way for the Blues to beat Bayern on penalties during shootout to win the first Champions League title in their history.