Petr Cech sympathises with David de Gea

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted that he sympathises with Manchester United shotstopper David de Gea ahead of Sunday's match at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard has been criticised over his failure to adapt to the Premier League after his summer move from Atletico Madrid.

However, Cech is confident that the 21-year-old will soon find his way in English football.

"You could see with De Gea at the start there was a challenge in the air which normally would have been given in Spain as a foul and was not given here and you could see the surprise," he told Chelsea TV. "You could see every time it happened, he was surprised.

"This is where you sympathise with the guy because you know you have to learn quickly to adapt.

"I think he's doing well in terms of improving and understanding the game, but it takes time to adapt."

De Gea is expected to start for the Premier League champions on Sunday.