Thibaut Courtois

[DDA 9,691]

Tough decision next summer it really is, Cech is still very good, but the club have to consider the long term aswell as the short. What if we sell Courtois and within 2 years Cech declines and Courtois is the undisputed no1 in the world? A lot of people refer to Van Der Sar going until he was 40, but he was the exception rather than the rule, Shay Given for example is 37 and currently Villa's 3rd choice keeper, Jens Lehmann started to decline after 35, David Seaman had a dodgy end to his career too.

Not many clubs get a chance to jump from one world class keeper to another, we have a chance to do just that, and when you think with your head instead of your heart, we have to atleast seriously consider the idea of bringing Courtois in next season. It's not like Courtois is still raw, he is one of the best in the world.

In my eyes it really isn't a tought decision to make at all. Cech is past his prime and we have the best young goalkeeper in the world waiting to take his place for next season. No problems just a simple freshen up in the goalkeeper position. No dount we will somehow find every excuse in the book to keep a past his prime Cech in goal for sentimental reasons and keep an angry Courtois at the club hanging by a thread!

[zolayes 14,489]

apparently Courtois not willing to sign a contract extension atm

[Jase 43,479]

apparently Courtois not willing to sign a contract extension atm

Indeed.

Looking after No 1! Courtois stalls Chelsea talks until after World Cup in bid to replace Cech

And I don't blame him if he wants to stall it as he wants assurance of his future, be it here or elsewhere.

[bushman 2,043]

Should Courtious sign an extension ? My feeling is NO. Unless Chelsea guarantees him a starting role. Will they ?

[zolayes 14,489]

Indeed.

Looking after No 1! Courtois stalls Chelsea talks until after World Cup in bid to replace Cech

And I don't blame him if he wants to stall it as he wants assurance of his future, be it here or elsewhere.

I really worry we could lose him

[LukakutoStamford 779]

It's really a no brainer. This difference between the two keepers is negligible at best. Courtois has 10+ years ahead of him and has a good chance to be a world #1 versus Cech who is still very good but may only have 3-5 more good years left and his skills will continue to diminish.

If you can detach the emotioanl component from Cech as a Chelsea legend then the decision is easy. It's not like there are 21 year old top 10 keepers in world just laying out there for the taking.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

"He is a good friend," Falcao is quoted as saying by Nieuwsblad. "And he is the best goalkeeper in the world."

[ja1 1,166]

http://inbedwithmaradona.com/100-2013-review/2013/11/15/thibaut-courtois

IBWM say nice things about Courtois. (IBWM is just a football blog, but genuinely very informative about the players they feature).

[Weckerz 3,781]

Probably rubbish, but anyway:

http://www.marca.com/2013/11/22/en/football/spanish_football/1385113639.html

"Mourinho is not backing down and has let Courtois know that if he doesn't accept the offer he will come back to Stamford Bridge and spend the next two years on the bench without playing."

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Probably rubbish, but anyway:

http://www.marca.com/2013/11/22/en/football/spanish_football/1385113639.html

"Mourinho is not backing down and has let Courtois know that if he doesn't accept the offer he will come back to Stamford Bridge and spend the next two years on the bench without playing."

Sure...

[dukeman 9]

Wouldn't surprise me. In Netherlands for Feyenoord they used the same tactics on Leerdam and at PSV on Toivonen.

And I'm sure there is a lot more examples.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Destroying your own capital is never a good idea.

[Weckerz 3,781]

Mourinho praises Courtois

Mourinho has confirmed his trust in our national goalkeeper. Last week media claimed Courtois had to extend his contract or be benched when he returns.

José Mourinho denies the whole story: "With Petr Cech we have the best goalkeeper in the world in our ranks, but Courtois is the best keeper of his generation." Mourinho told Het Laatste Nieuws.

"He has another 2 years left on his contract, we have everything under control. Clubs that want to buy or loan him might be having a hard time, we don't."

Last weeks Courtois was heavily linked to FC Barcelona. His great performances for Atletico and the national team haven't made things easier for Chelsea.

One things for sure: Courtois won't return to London to warm the bench.

source: voetbalkrant.com

[zolayes 14,489]

I knew two years ago this was going to have a bad ending

[The only place to be 11,313]

[bluesman2610 1,348]

Was just going to comment on this saw that he didn't shroud himself in glory here on the OG tough luck though

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

wow that's bad lol

[BlueLion. 21,491]

When Cech makes a mistake, all hell breaks loose. No-one even cares to mention a Courtois cock-up.