Thibaut Courtois

[DYC. 7,542]

When I say by a distance its more of how much I rate Tibo than any knock on De Gea, I think the Spaniard is a world class keeper, I honestly believe Tibo is one of those generational talents. Shot stopping is close between him and De Gea but what swings it in Courtois favour for me is his all round game, he's like an air traffic control commander with the ball in the air (which is David's Achilles heal).

Hopefully De Gea goes to Madrid next summer so Courtois doesn't get any ideas, I would honestly be more gutted about losing Tibo than I would Hazard.

He is much better in the air, that's true. But De Gea is much better with his feet and with his distribution, he is simply excellent in these areas. I do think De Gea is the better shot stopper. I know Courtois makes it all look easier with his superb positioning but De Gea is so great at dealing with an onslaught of shots. I could be wrong though and deceived by the flash. I'm not familiar with De Gea's ability to stop penalties but Tibo is pretty great at dealing with them. They both aren't real generals when it comes to organising the defence but that's most likely related to age. Both consistent performers as well. I think they're both generational talents, with their strengths and weaknesses. I'd always pick Courtois but I can't say whether I'd say the same if De Gea was a Chelsea man.

I'm not so sure about that myself. I think it would easier to find a worthy replacement for Courtois. Not as good, sure, but a great GK nonetheless. Hazard is the only attacking player to truly touch elite level in the Roman era, and it's been over 10 years. We must have seen over 20-30 players come and go and not one was as good. There was Robben but he was nowhere near as good back then as he is now. So Zola in the 90s till Hazard in 14/15. Just look at the difference between at Chelsea with an in form Hazard and an out of form Hazard. Willian is in the form of his life but it's not close to being enough. And I'm not pinning this disaster on just that but I do think it plays a big part. Hazard carried the attack with his individual brilliance because this team always had a hard time offensively (bar the infamous honey moon period).

And I just wanted to add how great Courtois is on the the ground for a big man. It's astonishing and I love that about him.

[Weckerz 3,781]

And I just wanted to add how great Courtois is on the the ground for a big man. It's astonishing and I love that about him.

Probably because he's a very good volleyball player as is his entire family. Genes.

You can notice it quite clearly in his playstyle.

[MCM4PR3Z 411]

Courtois is clearly better than DDG, but I understand that a few fans believe the United media. DDG is a world class goalkeeper, no doubt about it. But Courtois is at least as good in shotstopping.

Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the air worldwide, he commands his area better than any other goalkeeper and his all round game in general is phenomenal. DDG has some troubles with those aspects of goalkeeping.

Courtois is also a lot more consistent. DDG has had bad periods in Atletico, the first year and a half in United he sucked and from February until July this year he also played bad.

Neuer and DDG are showgoalkeepers while Courtois makes the most difficult things look easy. People in general maybe will choose for the show man and the United player, but Courtois is clearly a step above DDG.

If somebody asks me who the best Belgian player is, I always answer Courtois without a single doubt.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Courtois is clearly better than DDG, but I understand that a few fans believe the United media.

Or you know, maybe, just maybe, a Belgian is biased towards a keeper from Belgium? Mind = blown.

The fact that you state that De Gea was playing badly from February to July says it all, though. He basically carried United throughout the whole season ffs, and the improvement he showed over the last season has him on par with Courtois, if not even above him one could argue. I personally wouldn't put either of them above the other one; style-wise and because I'm a shit and biased Chelsea fan I take Courtois. But to call it United-tainted propaganda if someone dares to believe that De Gea is as good as the beloved Thibaut is something. I don't read any sports newspapers and usually I even watch football games with no commentary so how does you logic about this United media apply on me?

Good lawd, some objectivity wouldn't hurt you guys.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

I don't read any sports newspapers and usually I even watch football games with no commentary so how does you logic about this United media apply on me?

Did you wear a tinfoil hat ? Gotta wear a tinfoil hat mate. That's how they get you.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Did you wear a tinfoil hat ? Gotta wear a tinfoil hat mate. That's how they get you.

Not even 2 tinfoil hats could spare me your nonsense I just wasted seconds on to load.

[MCM4PR3Z 411]

DDG really played bad those months last season, some people need to watch games. Just take a look at all the goals United received in those months, there alone you will see at least 10 very big mistakes of DDG. And not every mistake he made was a goal in that period.

Just look up some footage. Next time DDG has a bad period, I will make a compilation because the media will shut up about it again, while Courtois will be first page news with his first big mistake.

He was bad, period. He only had 2 good games: Palace and Man City. I've seen every Chelsea and every United game the whole 90 minutes that period. I doubt many fans can say this.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

Not even 2 tinfoil hats could spare me your nonsense I just wasted seconds on to load.

Don't be stupid. You realize how ridiculous you'd look wearing 2 tinfoil hats...

[El P. 1,354]

This comparison reminds me of Van Der Sar/Čech comparison.

[DYC. 7,542]

This comparison reminds me of Van Der Sar/Čech comparison.

Prime Cech>Courtois>Prime Van der Sar(>>>>>>Lehman/Reina>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Almunia)

Always thought VDS received too much praise. Saved an incredibly weak penalty from Anelka in the CL final (still a bit bitter about that) and people went crazy about him.

Big Nose is going to comfortably surpass them both.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

1. Neuer

2. Courtois

3. Buffon

4. de Gea

5. Cech

Can't really argue about those five being better than the rest. You can suggest a change-around regarding the order, but I honestly think only Neuer is a better all-round keeper than TBO.

[Simon1991 225]

Neuer may be the best, but his mistakes are often overlooked in my opinion. It sometimes looks like he has an immunity totem.

1. Neuer

2. Courtois

3. Buffon

4. de Gea

5. Cech

Can't really argue about those five being better than the rest. You can suggest a change-around regarding the order, but I honestly think only Neuer is a better all-round keeper than TBO.

Are you talking about this season? If yes Keylor Navas has to be in this ranking, he's been outstanding this season.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Neuer may be the best, but his mistakes are often overlooked in my opinion. It sometimes looks like he has an immunity totem.

Are you talking about this season? If yes Keylor Navas has to be in this ranking, he's been outstanding this season.

As an aggregate over the past three seasons.

Yes Neuer makes mistakes, but so do all the rest.

[MCM4PR3Z 411]

Everybody makes mistakes, but Courtois makes less mistakes than Neuer. Certainly true. Neuer being chosen above Courtois has to do with 3 things:

1. Showgoalkeeper

2. Bayern is at least top 3 worldwide

3. Age. People keep thinking that a 23 year old can never be the best goalkeeper because he is 23 years old.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Everybody makes mistakes, but Courtois makes less mistakes than Neuer. Certainly true. Neuer being chosen above Courtois has to do with 3 things:

1. Showgoalkeeper

2. Bayern is at least top 3 worldwide

3. Age. People keep thinking that a 23 year old can never be the best goalkeeper because he is 23 years old.

4. Kicking and ability on the ball

5. Organization of the defense

6. Reading of the game

7. Ability to rush and deal with 1vs1

That said, for me, Thibaut is clearly ahead of De Gea and with Neuer and Buffon in the top 3 in the world.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Man I always thought Diego Alvez was going to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Used to watch his progress at Almeria, same with Sergio Asenjo before DDG and TBO vanquished him to the abyss

Who else was there? Igor Akinfeev was beat in Pro Evo 6 years and Football manager

Oh the memories

[Tomo 21,733]

Man I always thought Diego Alvez was going to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Used to watch his progress at Almeria, same with Sergio Asenjo before DDG and TBO vanquished him to the abyss

Who else was there? Igor Akinfeev was beat in Pro Evo 6 years and Football manager

Oh the memories

Vincenzo Fiorillo I turned into a beast on fifa 09 career mode (maybe 10) that era, right now he is on loan at Pescara in Serie B.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Vincenzo Fiorillo I turned into a beast on fifa 09 career mode (maybe 10) that era, right now he is on loan at Pescara in Serie B.

Our very own Delac was meant to be the next Cech