Thibaut Courtois

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Looking at Belgium's results in the last qualifying fail for the EC, the difference Courtois makes becomes very clear. Before we had Mignolet (who actually never disappointed as well) we didn't have a first choice goalkeeper. I remember a 4-4 against Austria (ffs...) where we had the match won until the very last minute, before the goalie of the day (Logan Bailley) made one of his many errors of the evening. That match cost us a spot in the barrage matches. Wouldn't have happened with him in goal. Even now, with the team much better, he made some match-winning saves...

The fact Mignolet is now playing for Liverpool and doing quite a decent job is not even an issue in Belgium. Courtois' spot seems to be secured until he decides to quit.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

As I already said, Belgium fans needn't worry. Even if he doesn't end up at Chelsea he'll easily find another good club who will make him first-choice goalie.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Can't see why so many people are so eager to move Cech out. He's just 31. That's a great football age for a keeper and the way I see it he has at least 5 more years at the very top level and why not even more - look at what Van der Sar did in United.

Not underestimating Courtois, he's a great young keeper, but I don't expect our GK situation to change anytime soon. By loaning him every year his stock keeps rising and and we should cash in on him at some point IMO.

Because some people are thinking pragmatically. It's very rare to move from one world-class keeper to another and we have the opportunity to do so. Yes Cech could go on for another 10 years but you have to look at what is likely to happen, not what might happen.

Courtois is likely to stay fit and healthy for 15 years whilst Cech isn't. Courtois can't be loaned out forever and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he simply runs his contract down and leaves for nothing - it's unlikely though.

[bushman 2,043]

Cech at his age cannot go on for another 10 years. He will slow down, soon. His reflexes won´t be as good as these days.

It´s very simple for some of us.

Courtois is Chelsea´s future.

[English Freak 456]

Because some people are thinking pragmatically. It's very rare to move from one world-class keeper to another and we have the opportunity to do so. Yes Cech could go on for another 10 years but you have to look at what is likely to happen, not what might happen.

Courtois is likely to stay fit and healthy for 15 years whilst Cech isn't. Courtois can't be loaned out forever and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he simply runs his contract down and leaves for nothing - it's unlikely though.

I just get the feeling that Courtois will be leaving at the end of this season.

He's not going to agree to another loan spell...when he could be the #1 GK at any top european club (excluding Bayern, Juventus)

As for Cech, I don't see him being sold. He's a fan favourite and alongside JT, he's the backbone of our team..

[Joris 0]

Chelsea saw Courtois as a big talent a couple of years ago who would still need development. The problem is, that he is developping faster then most of us expected. The first signs already came in early as on 29/12/2011 he claimed he jumped 30cm higher and he is very stress ressistant : ( http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/buitenland/Engeland/1.1185969 ) .

From 2011 until today he has won team and individual prices and became the nr of Belgium being in competition with Mignolet. (1x Europa League, 1x Copa Del Rey , 1x Super Cup, 1x Zamora ). Last year, Atletico was third in the spanish league, the highest position since 1994-1995 (I did not look up extra data).

Pretty strong credentials to make him number 1. Unless you have Cech. Who has won from 2011 1x Europa League, 1x FA, 1x Champions League, ...

I would opt for another year (or 2) of Cech as he is still at his prime, has the confidence of José, supporters, .. . But then of course, what to do with courtois? This should be his last year at Atletico, they are gunning for the championship, playing well in CL, so to perform even better next year would be a half miracle. Apart from the league games against Barcelona and Madrid, there are not enough challengers in the Spanish division.

My first solution that comes in mind (might not be the best one), is to loan him to Everton. They should end up playing european football and could use reinforcement at the GK position.

[bushman 2,043]

Chelsea saw Courtois as a big talent a couple of years ago who would still need development. The problem is, that he is developping faster then most of us expected. The first signs already came in early as on 29/12/2011 he claimed he jumped 30cm higher and he is very stress ressistant : ( http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/buitenland/Engeland/1.1185969 ) .

From 2011 until today he has won team and individual prices and became the nr of Belgium being in competition with Mignolet. (1x Europa League, 1x Copa Del Rey , 1x Super Cup, 1x Zamora ). Last year, Atletico was third in the spanish league, the highest position since 1994-1995 (I did not look up extra data).

Pretty strong credentials to make him number 1. Unless you have Cech. Who has won from 2011 1x Europa League, 1x FA, 1x Champions League, ...

I would opt for another year (or 2) of Cech as he is still at his prime, has the confidence of José, supporters, .. . But then of course, what to do with courtois? This should be his last year at Atletico, they are gunning for the championship, playing well in CL, so to perform even better next year would be a half miracle. Apart from the league games against Barcelona and Madrid, there are not enough challengers in the Spanish division.

My first solution that comes in mind (might not be the best one), is to loan him to Everton. They should end up playing european football and could use reinforcement at the GK position.

Excuse me, but why should he go Everton if he can play for much better teams ?

Would you drive Lada if you can afford BMW ?

[Cech's helmet 220]

Any decent/agile goalkeeper is going to look WORLD class playing in La Liga. the hardest place to be a goalie is the premier league. De Gea looked world class with Atletico too because goalkeepers in La liga don't have have to deal with long balls/crosses as much as in premier league games. Van der saar was absolutely phenomenal in his late 30's with Utd, actually he started being world class in his 30's. Cech is 31 and this is when keepers really start to peek. look at Shay given/ Friedel. they were all amazing in their 30's.

Courtois came in the wrong time imo. it sucks but why change something that's not broken?

[Joris 0]

Good question. Looking strictly from a development point of view: "where can he get better" and thus be a better GK at chelsea, playing at a top team might not always be the best choice. based on the statistics from http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/3853/Stages/7794/TeamStatistics/England-Premier-League-2013-2014 one will see that at manchester, chelsea or tottenham he would have about 8 shots conceded / game. Where as Everton has about 11.

In short: better team = more focus on control and attack, less work in defence

Then again, joining top teams for a loan in Europe might cause the same competition as at chelsea and we might not want to loan him to a top team:

- ENG: Man Utd (De Gea) , Man City (Hart) , Liverpool (Mignolet) , Arsenal (Szczesny - challengeable) , (Tottenham - Lloris)

- SPAIN : Barcelona ( Valdes - I don't see him go on loan to Barcelona) , Real Madrid ( Lopez - I don't see him go from atletico to real)

- GERMANY: Bayern ( Neuer), Dortmund (Weidenfeller - Challengeable)

- ITALY: Juventus (Buffon ) , AC Milan ( Abbiati - challengeable) , Napoli ( Reina - Challengeable)

I would prefer to see him play in the premier league next year to adapt to the intensity and playing style.

[bushman 2,043]

Any decent/agile goalkeeper is going to look WORLD class playing in La Liga. the hardest place to be a goalie is the premier league. De Gea looked world class with Atletico too because goalkeepers in La liga don't have have to deal with long balls/crosses as much as in premier league games. Van der saar was absolutely phenomenal in his late 30's with Utd, actually he started being world class in his 30's. Cech is 31 and this is when keepers really start to peek. look at Shay given/ Friedel. they were all amazing in their 30's.

Courtois came in the wrong time imo. it sucks but why change something that's not broken?

Sometimes, cracks might be seen & they need to be welded.

[Fernando 6,453]

If Courtois wants to go to Barcelona he will go.

He just needs to let his contract run down.

He got how many years left? 2 right?

[The only place to be 11,313]

Any decent/agile goalkeeper is going to look WORLD class playing in La Liga. the hardest place to be a goalie is the premier league. De Gea looked world class with Atletico too because goalkeepers in La liga don't have have to deal with long balls/crosses as much as in premier league games. Van der saar was absolutely phenomenal in his late 30's with Utd, actually he started being world class in his 30's. Cech is 31 and this is when keepers really start to peek. look at Shay given/ Friedel. they were all amazing in their 30's.

Courtois came in the wrong time imo. it sucks but why change something that's not broken?

So you wait until something is broken and then hope there's a replacement at hand?

Isn't it better to replace something before the cracks start to show?

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Any decent/agile goalkeeper is going to look WORLD class playing in La Liga. the hardest place to be a goalie is the premier league. De Gea looked world class with Atletico too because goalkeepers in La liga don't have have to deal with long balls/crosses as much as in premier league games. Van der saar was absolutely phenomenal in his late 30's with Utd, actually he started being world class in his 30's. Cech is 31 and this is when keepers really start to peek. look at Shay given/ Friedel. they were all amazing in their 30's.

Courtois came in the wrong time imo. it sucks but why change something that's not broken?

I don't think the PL is particularly harder for Goalkeepers than the Spanish League, which is very focused on attack in general. Quality will always come through, although certain events might damage a player's confidence. Maybe that's what happened to De Gea.

Courtois was already phenomenal at Genk (he saved their title multiple times in the last match against Standard Liege) and got better every year. I think in 15 years, we'll put him above even the likes of Michel Preud'homme and Jean Marie Pfaff. Both considered one of the world's best keepers in their prime.

[bushman 2,043]

If Courtois wants to go to Barcelona he will go.

He just needs to let his contract run down.

He got how many years left? 2 right?

He does not need to wait for his contract to run down. He simply asks for a transfer.

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

He does not need to wait for his contract to run down. He simply asks for a transfer.

Naivity at its best...He asks for a transfer, we decline him a transfer...Now what?

[bushman 2,043]

Naivity at its best...He asks for a transfer, we decline him a transfer...Now what?

Had Rooney asked for one, he could be playing for Chelsea now.

Now, think about it, but do not be naive.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Naivity at its best...He asks for a transfer, we decline him a transfer...Now what?

Then he'll sulk on the Chelsea bench for a year, loses his value and would still leave.

See Rooney above. Keeping an unhappy player is never a good idea.

[robsblubot 3,502]

Had Rooney asked for one, he could be playing for Chelsea now.

Now, think about it, but do not be naive.

You are right that nowadays players have the power, but not so much the younger ones. Because there are too many unknowns about them. Imagine a problem like Fletcher had, which absolutely destroyed his career. Or not so drastic, something like what happened to Essien, the so common knee injuries. These type of things could really lower the ceiling of any young player since they really can't afford to lose years of development time, not to mention the long-term physical and mental consequences of such injuries/problems. Again, not to mention that some of these youngster are pretty much playing at their peak, so what you see is as good as it's going to get.

I believe Courtois still has 3 years left (until 2016) on his contract, so Chelsea could really hurt his development if he does not play nice. Malouda is a good example, at the other end of the (age) spectrum: he was unflushable, and Chelsea said fine, we don't care, but we won't waste time with you.

The best case scenario is that he returns to the club come next season and play rotation with Cech, learning as much as possible from Cech. Then, in the following season, Chelsea should - amicably - allow Cech to move and make his retirement money (bonuses and all). This is still a very possible outcome.

BTW, goalkeeper aren't valued that highly, even the very promising ones. The deals just involve a lot less money.