Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer confident of signing new deal with EPL giants Chelsea

MARK Schwarzer has hinted that he is set to remain at Chelsea for another season, despite being listed as a free agent by the Premier League club.

Former Socceroo Mark Schwarzer on talks about Australia's World Cup chances and his own playing future.Darling Harbour.Picture Gregg Porteous

MARK Schwarzer has hinted that he is set to remain at Chelsea for another season, despite being listed as a free agent by the English Premier League club.

The 41-year-old, who was signed by Blues boss Jose Mourinho at the start of last season, is in talks with the English giants and expects an announcement to be made in the next week.

Schwarzer says he has received interest from other clubs, but is confident he will remain at Stamford Bridge.

“At the moment there are ongoing discussions and there have been a lot of things that needed to be sorted out prior to me re-signing at the club, but hopefully in the coming days it will be sorted out,” he said.

“I hope to play another season at the very least and hopefully in the next week or so I can announce that I’ve signed again. I’m looking forward to being fit and ready for next season and hopefully I’ll be at Chelsea again next season.”

Schwarzer was signed as back-up to Petr Cech and finally achieved his dream when he made his debut in the UEFA Champions League - the oldest player to do so.

He admits he would have liked more game time - and may find getting that a bigger struggle this season with the return of Thibaut Courtois from Atletico Madrid - but he still relished the experience.

“I obviously would have liked to play more games, but I knew when I signed for Chelsea my position at the club,” he said.

“I knew I was going there as the number two. You don’t wish anyone to get injured, but for me personally it was a good opportunity to come into the side, in particular in the semi-final of the Champions League, and also some important Premier League fixtures. It was disappointing in the end not to come away with any silverware, but it was a fantastic experience.”

Schwarzer reports no “aches and pains” - he missed one training session all season through illness - and is determined to play at the highest level for as long as he is able to.

He is hoping that will continue at Chelsea, where he has enjoyed working under Mourinho.

“He’s great - he’s been fantastic,” Schwarzer said.

“From day one when I arrived at the club he’s been someone that I’ve really enjoyed working with. He’s got an enormous amount of experience and he’s one of the new age managers and I’ve really enjoyed working underneath him. I like his directness, his demand for success and his demand for getting the most out of his players.”

Originally published as Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer confident of signing new deal with EPL giants Chelsea