Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper advices Djordje Petrovic ahead of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium

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Former Chelsea goalkeeper turned goalkeeping coach, Kevin Hitchcock, adviced his student Djordje Petrovic who is going to man the goal line for Chelsea, ahead of the Carabao Cup final which comes up on February 25 at Wembley Stadium.

Hitchcock was good at goalkeeping back in his own days and has been helping Petrovic through trainings.

During a chat both men had which was transcribed by Chelseafc.com, Hitchcock said the following:

‘Now it’s the final at Wembley. I remember playing there in 1987 for Mansfield in a final and the manager at the time – and I was only a young goalkeeper – told me that I should cherish the day for the rest of my life because not many people get to play at that stadium.

‘I took in every minute of that final, and I did the same when I was Chelsea in the 1997 FA Cup final and the 1998 League Cup final. I made it my business to absorb it, from the pre-match and the game.

‘The other thing is that when we travelled in from Chelsea, we passed all the pubs and it was full of blue and white. It was amazing, a great experience.

‘So, what I will say is to take it all in and try to remember as much of the day as possible because it will go past you in a flash.’

In reply, Petrovic said, ‘I’ve not been to Wembley before so I will try to absorb the atmosphere, take it in, and enjoy the moment.

‘Of course, though, you want to win at Wembley as it is known across the world. Big games are played there FA Cups, League Cups, Champions League finals.

‘Against Liverpool, it’s going to be blue against red and I can’t imagine yet what it will be like. I will see on the day.

‘I have actually spoken to Chilly (Ben Chilwell) because after the semi-final, everyone in the dressing room was singing about Wembley. Of course, I know about it but I wanted to know specifics, what made it special. So we spoke and he shared some experience with me.’

Though Liverpool seems to have the better team ahead of the game, Chelsea have surprised fans enough this season to deserve The Reds’ dread.