Didier Drogba urges Chelsea to retain goalkeeper Petr Cech amid Arsenal interest

Chelsea would be unwise to allow goalkeeper Petr Cech to leave the club this summer despite his limited impact in the first team at Stamford Bridge this season, according to departing striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba played his final match for Chelsea in the 3-1 Premier League win over Sunderland and the 37-year-old could be followed out of west London by another club stalwart.

Cech had been number one goalie at Chelsea since joining the club in the summer of 2004 but was displaced by returning stopper Thibaut Courtois for the 2014-15 campaign after the Belgian's three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid.

The Czech Republic international made just six starts in the Premier League this season as Chelsea claimed the title but reports suggest he wants a move away from the club in the summer to improve his first team appearances.

But Drogba said: "I think the club should keep him because we know who Petr Cech is at this club.

"No matter what happens, I think the club will respect his decision. If he wants to stay, he can stay. I think he is more than welcome here.

"If he wants to go, it's his choice as well. It's up to him. But we want him to stay."

Arsenal has continually been linked with a move for Cech, while Manchester United is also thought to be showing an interest amid continued speculation regarding the future of David de Gea.

Though moves to either Arsenal or United would see an improvement to Cech's opportunities, the switch would see two of Chelsea's rivals for next season's Premier League title strengthened.

But manager Jose Mourinho has no preference over which club Cech joins should he leave this summer, having previously allowed Juan Mata to move to Old Trafford and Romelu Lukaku join Everton.

"I keep saying I would like [Cech] to stay," Mourinho said. "In case he leaves, I have no preferences [on where he goes]."