Thibaut Courtois

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

What a fantastic photograph. Hope it's not 'shopped'.

Yes, the timing is perfect. I believe it is real photo.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,898]

Yes, the timing is perfect. I believe it is real photo.

Well with the ball noticeably compressed would be even better timing, but near perfect for sure. The sharpness is incredible, even down to the reflection of the ball on the crossbar.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Well with the ball visibly compressed would be even better timing but near perfect for sure. The sharpness is incredible, even down to the reflection of the ball on the crossbar.

Ah yes, just millisecond after that would be nice, maybe he missed that and this is the closest one.

[Jase 43,479]

Thibaut Courtois is equally worthy of Manuel Neuer's Ballon d'Or honour

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Thibaut Courtois is equally worthy of Manuel Neuer's Ballon d'Or honour

Nah he isn't. Sorry Chelsea fans. He had a wonderful season, but Neuer is just something else. In terms of performances it's close, but Neuer was the star of the World Cup for me and an integral part in Germany's triumph, plus it's not as if Bayern had a bad season.

[HD3D 1,038]

Nah he isn't. Sorry Chelsea fans. He had a wonderful season, but Neuer is just something else. In terms of performances it's close, but Neuer was the star of the World Cup for me and an integral part in Germany's triumph, plus it's not as if Bayern had a bad season.

I understand that Neur has a better claim to the Ballon D'or than Courtois since he's won his domestic championship and the world cup. But the reality is also this:

- Neur plays in a league with practically zero competition where his club owns a monopoly. His achievements domestically (record of cleansheets, etc.) are thus massively overrated. On the other hand, Courtois and his club challenged and beat the domination of arguably the 2 best clubs in the world Barcelona and Madrid. Courtois can say he had a tremendous contribution in his team's hard road to the title. Neur can't say that because there never was a hard road.

- Neur was raped 4-0 against Real Madrid, meanwhile Courtois was credited man of the match when Atletico eliminated Barcelona in the Champions league. He then went on the reach the final. Also, he was credited multiple times throughout the season as the savior in League and Cup games against Madrid and Barcelona. This is because, unlike Bayern which plays possession, Atletico's strategy was to park the bus which meant tremendous hard work for the keeper.

- Neur played with the strongest team in the world cup. The ONLY team that gave Germany a semi-hard time was Argentina in the final and they only had 2 or 3 dangerous chances, where Neur didn't do anything Courtois wouldn't have done.

- Neur benefits from the fact that Germany has no other star that can be marketed as best in the world (because that star would have to be judged on the standards set by Cristiano and Messi) and the same happens with Bayern, which originally and ridiculously tried to promote Ribery as best in the world, which failed horribly, and now tries to promote Neur because it's not possible to compare him to Cristiano and Messi.

In sum: Neur is a wonderful goalkeeper, but not much better than Courtois. He benefits from a privileged position at club and country level which makes him, in my opinion, overrated. Overrated when people compare him to Buffon and overrated when people try to claim he's worthy of the Ballon D'or.

[Chelsea? 892]

Is he hurt?

[nyikolajevics 2,601]

Is he hurt?

Yes, he has a minor injury.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I understand that Neur has a better claim to the Ballon D'or than Courtois since he's won his domestic championship and the world cup. But the reality is also this:

- Neur plays in a league with practically zero competition where his club owns a monopoly. His achievements domestically (record of cleansheets, etc.) are thus massively overrated. On the other hand, Courtois and his club challenged and beat the domination of arguably the 2 best clubs in the world Barcelona and Madrid. Courtois can say he had a tremendous contribution in his team's hard road to the title. Neur can't say that because there never was a hard road.

- Neur was raped 4-0 against Real Madrid, meanwhile Courtois was credited man of the match when Atletico eliminated Barcelona in the Champions league. He then went on the reach the final. Also, he was credited multiple times throughout the season as the savior in League and Cup games against Madrid and Barcelona. This is because, unlike Bayern which plays possession, Atletico's strategy was to park the bus which meant tremendous hard work for the keeper.

- Neur played with the strongest team in the world cup. The ONLY team that gave Germany a semi-hard time was Argentina in the final and they only had 2 or 3 dangerous chances, where Neur didn't do anything Courtois wouldn't have done.

- Neur benefits from the fact that Germany has no other star that can be marketed as best in the world (because that star would have to be judged on the standards set by Cristiano and Messi) and the same happens with Bayern, which originally and ridiculously tried to promote Ribery as best in the world, which failed horribly, and now tries to promote Neur because it's not possible to compare him to Cristiano and Messi.

In sum: Neur is a wonderful goalkeeper, but not much better than Courtois. He benefits from a privileged position at club and country level which makes him, in my opinion, overrated. Overrated when people compare him to Buffon and overrated when people try to claim he's worthy of the Ballon D'or.

You are entitled to your opinion and I respect it, but I don't think anyone can say Buffon is a better goalkeeper than Manuel Neuer. And of course he is worthy of the Ballon d'Or, he is one of the best players in world football. He isn't just a goalkeeper, he is a footballer. We'll agree to disagree, whilst you make some wonderful points regarding Courtois-Neuer, to then say he isn't worthwhile of being a nominee for World Player of the Year (most people seem to think that only goalscorers should be worthy of that commendation) and he isn't as good as Buffon is laughable, tbh.

[Hamilton 2,120]

Courtois is Belgians sportman of the year 2014.

It's the first time that a footballer wins the trophy.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Courtois is Belgians sportman of the year 2014.

It's the first time that a footballer wins the trophy.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I understand that Neur has a better claim to the Ballon D'or than Courtois since he's won his domestic championship and the world cup. But the reality is also this:

- Neur plays in a league with practically zero competition where his club owns a monopoly. His achievements domestically (record of cleansheets, etc.) are thus massively overrated. On the other hand, Courtois and his club challenged and beat the domination of arguably the 2 best clubs in the world Barcelona and Madrid. Courtois can say he had a tremendous contribution in his team's hard road to the title. Neur can't say that because there never was a hard road.

- Neur was raped 4-0 against Real Madrid, meanwhile Courtois was credited man of the match when Atletico eliminated Barcelona in the Champions league. He then went on the reach the final. Also, he was credited multiple times throughout the season as the savior in League and Cup games against Madrid and Barcelona. This is because, unlike Bayern which plays possession, Atletico's strategy was to park the bus which meant tremendous hard work for the keeper.

- Neur played with the strongest team in the world cup. The ONLY team that gave Germany a semi-hard time was Argentina in the final and they only had 2 or 3 dangerous chances, where Neur didn't do anything Courtois wouldn't have done.

- Neur benefits from the fact that Germany has no other star that can be marketed as best in the world (because that star would have to be judged on the standards set by Cristiano and Messi) and the same happens with Bayern, which originally and ridiculously tried to promote Ribery as best in the world, which failed horribly, and now tries to promote Neur because it's not possible to compare him to Cristiano and Messi.

In sum: Neur is a wonderful goalkeeper, but not much better than Courtois. He benefits from a privileged position at club and country level which makes him, in my opinion, overrated. Overrated when people compare him to Buffon and overrated when people try to claim he's worthy of the Ballon D'or.

Agree. If you compare Neuer and Courtois head to head personal ability, they are almost on the same level already imo. Yes I might agree that at the moment Neuer might be better, but it is because he is much older and have more experience, while Courtois still very young.

And I don't like to include their respective club and country achievement when comparing both.

[HD3D 1,038]

I swear his arm must be more than half the size of my whole body

[TheOneChan95 225]

Agree. If you compare Neuer and Courtois head to head personal ability, they are almost on the same level already imo. Yes I might agree that at the moment Neuer might be better, but it is because he is much older and have more experience, while Courtois still very young.

And I don't like to include their respective club and country achievement when comparing both.

Inside the box both are equally competent. However, Neuer is excellent outside it as well which slightly edges out Courtois imo

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Inside the box both are equally competent. However, Neuer is excellent outside it as well which slightly edges out Courtois imo

Yes, they have their own strength and weakness, the same case also applied if we include Cech in comparison. That's why they are in a top 5 (if not in top 3), and people still couldn't decide whom are in which position in a top 3, because there will be so many factors to consider. And if anyone could decide, usually they are mostly used their personal opinion to make an assessment.

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Courtois: "Is Neuer the best goalkeeper in the world? I think, mainly, he attracted attention with his dribbling".

[pHaRaOn 2,131]

Thibaut Pollock

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Surely, he should be available for Stoke match, no?